JFI Biweekly Review: June 17-28, 2024 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI including the next national call, webinars, statements, and upcoming events. Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and Chairman of the Committee on Migration for the USCCB: As Legislative Stalemate on Immigration Reform Continues, Longtime Undocumented Residents and their Families Deserve Protection “We welcome today’s announcement and the hope it brings to thousands of American families who have grappled with the fear of separation for a decade or more,” said Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, following the Biden Administration’s announcement on June 18 of a new program for the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. The program allows select individuals who have resided in the country for at least ten years to apply for parole in place, which offers access to legal work authorization and protection from removal if granted, as well as the potential to apply for permanent legal status in certain cases. A similar program has been available to military service members and their families for several years. This comes days after the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program marked twelve years since it was first announced. Bishop Seitz went on to add: “Legislators have a moral and patriotic duty to improve our legal immigration system, including the opportunities available for family reunification and preservation. A society is only as strong as its families, and family unity is a fundamental right. For the good of the country, Congress must find a way to overcome partisan divisions and enact immigration reform that includes an earned legalization program for longtime undocumented residents.” A new USCCB resource about the process is available in English and Spanish. U.S. Catholic Church Commemorates World Day Refugee Day On June 20, the USCCB joined with others around the world in honoring refugees and the communities that welcome them. Bishop Seitz released the following statement: “On World Refugee Day, we reflect on the urgent need to promote the dignity and rights of refugees, as well as the positive contributions they make to our communities. As Catholics, we are called by the Gospel and Church teaching to embrace our brothers and sisters fleeing for their lives, offering them compassion, support, and solidarity. For generations, Catholics across the United States have embodied this through their commitment to refugee resettlement. In these efforts, we witness the resiliency of refugees, and we recognize in them a hope for new life, which resonates in the heart of every Christian. May this work of welcome continue to inspire within us a deeper awareness of our own journey toward everlasting life.” 2024 World Day of Migrants & Refugees/National Migration Week The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Migration Week (NMW) from September 23-29, 2024. Each year, this week-long celebration culminates with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), established by the Holy See over 100 years ago and commemorated by Catholics across the globe. Throughout this week, the faithful and others of good will are encouraged to reflect on the challenges facing migrants, refugees, and others impacted by the complex phenomenon of forced displacement, the ways these newcomers enrich welcoming communities, and how we are each called to respond to them as members of the same human family. The theme for NMW 2024, “God Walks with His People,” underscores the solidarity with migrants our Church embraces as they journey in various ways to find security, safety and peace for themselves and their families. In preparation for this celebration, please take an opportunity to read Pope Francis’ WDMR message. Be sure to check out the Justice for Immigrant’s NMW page and 2024 toolkit, where we expand on the theme and suggest possible ways for your community to get involved. Please share your NMW and WDMR events, celebrations and Mass information on JFI’s Facebook page and Twitter to spread the word about your plans during the week! Also, let us know what you are doing for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees by emailing Tony Cube. Problem Areas in Immigration Series: Migrant Farmworkers Migrant farmworkers play a critical role in US agriculture, ensuring that the fruits and vegetables that you enjoy every day get from farm to table. The June issue of problem areas in migration focuses on this population, examines the H-2A program, and improvements that could be made to make it more efficient and effective. Please take a moment to read this overview and watch the accompanying videos, which will help you better understand this complex issue. For those who have friends and colleagues not on the listserv but who might be interested in this series, please send them to the JFI website for more information. Welcome Wednesdays Series For #welcomewednesday, Father Jesús Mariscal shares his experience celebrating mass in orchards with farm workers in Yakima here and reminds us of Pope Francis’ message to be a church "en salida", a church that goes out, as he does with his ministry with migrant farmworkers here. Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Agency Executives Anna Gallagher, Executive Director – Catholic Legal Immigration Network, INC: CLINIC Applauds Announcement of Family Unity Protections and Process Improvements for Employing DACA Recipients Kevin Appleby, Senior Fellow - Center for Migration Studies of New York: What you may not hear about immigration during the Biden-Trump debate Policy Update / Actualización de Política We are thankful to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) for its weekly Migration Update. Please visit their bilingual Migration Update page to stay up-to-date on recent migration policy updates. View the June 26 CMS Migration Update, which includes: US Supreme Court Says US Citizens Do Not Have a Fundamental Right to Bring Immigrant Spouses to the United States Congressional Democrats Urge Biden Administration to Resettle Palestinian Refugees USCIS Extends Work Authorization to TPS Beneficiaries from Certain Countries View the June 18 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Biden Provides Legal Status to Undocumented Spouses of US Citizens The US State Department Imposes Visa Restrictions on Charter Flight Companies for Transporting Migrant Agradecemos al Centro de Estudios de Migración de Nueva York (CMS por sus siglas en inglés) por su Actualización de Migración semanal. Visite su página bilingüe de Actualización de Migración para mantenerse al día sobre las actualizaciones recientes de la política de migración. Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 26 de juno, que incluye: La Corte Suprema de EE.UU. dice que los ciudadanos estadounidenses no tienen el derecho fundamental de traer cónyuges inmigrantes a los Estados Unidos Los demócratas del Congreso instan a la administración Biden a reasentar a los refugiados palestinos USCIS extiende autorización de trabajo a beneficiarios de TPS de ciertos países Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 18 de juno, que incluye: Biden otorga estatus legal a cónyuges indocumentados de ciudadanos estadounidenses El Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. impone restricciones de visado a las compañías de vuelos chárter para el transporte de migrantes  Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. Center for Migration Studies of New York: Marking the Biden Administration's Progress in Restoring the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has provided a lifeline to millions of refugees, with over 3 million having been resettled over the past fifty years. Despite this success, the resettlement program has experienced setbacks at times in its history, from the period immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, to the four year period under the Trump administration, when resettlement numbers hit an all-time low. USRAP also has met turbulence at other points in its history, but not to the degree that the survival of the program was in question. Read this report to learn more about the progress of the USRAP during the current Administration. American Immigration Council: The Expanding Role of H-2A Workers in U.S. Agriculture This report contains important new findings about the H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker Program which allows U.S. employers that face a shortage of domestic workers to hire foreign nationals for temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs. Analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data reveals significant demand across the country for H-2A workers and their vital support to America's food production. Read the report to learn more.  Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services Catholic Charities Family & Community Services (Diocese of Rochester, NY) Free English Classes. Free English Classes available in July through September in preparation for U.S. Citizenship. First classes start on July 8, 2024. Register today! Call: 585-861-6388. Franciscan Action Network Webinar, Nuclear Weapons: What you don’t know can hurt you, July 17, 2024 at 4 PM Eastern. As Franciscans, we seek ways to be peacemakers in a troubled world. In this one-hour webinar, we will discuss: Which are the countries and conflicts that present the greatest danger for nuclear warfare? What would be the global effects of any use of nuclear weapons? What can I do to show my concern? Sr. Maryann Mueller, CSSF, Justice and Peace Coordinator for the Felician Sisters of North America, will moderate the discussion. Registration for this event is free. If you are able, we ask that you please consider donating $10, $25, $50 or any amount to help support FAN’s continued peace building. Thank you for your generosity! Save the Date: CMS' November 2024 Conference in New York In solidarity, Tony Cube Stay Connected Visit the JFI website to learn about us, read policy recommendations and letters to Congress, find materials for your parish, get advocacy resources, access previously recorded webinars, and more! 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