JFI Biweekly Review: July 1-12, 2024 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI including the next national call, webinars, statements, and upcoming events. USCCB Submits Comments Responding to Newest Asylum Restrictions On June 4, President Biden signed a Proclamation on “Securing the Border”, and an Interim Final Rule was published soon thereafter with regulatory changes implementing the asylum restrictions described in the Proclamation. A thirty-day public comment period was provided for these regulatory changes, and the USCCB submitted comments addressing the changes.  New Bilingual Resource on Family Relief Program Following the Biden Administration’s announcement last month of a new relief program for the undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens, the USCCB released a new explainer in English and Spanish. Importantly, it is not yet possible to apply for this program. Community members should be vigilant against fraud, especially anyone offering access to the program for a fee. More details, including instructions for those wishing to apply, are expected be released in the coming weeks, at which point the USCCB will offer an informational webinar. REMINDER: 2024 World Day of Migrants & Refugees/National Migration Week 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.” 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 (also available in Spanish), where we expand on the theme and suggest possible ways for your community to get involved. Homily notes and prayer resources are also Included in the 2024 toolkit. 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 at [email protected]. New JFI Resource: Family-based Immigration: A Catholic Perspective Family unity and reunification have long been foundational principles of our nation’s immigration system. While U.S. immigration policy incorporated family relationships as a basis for admission into the U.S. as early as the 1920s, it was in 1952 that the current approach was enacted with the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Under these laws, both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) over the age of 21 have the ability to petition for certain family members to receive immigrant visas. These visas grant an individual LPR status, also known as a “green card”, which is a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Please take a moment to read this overview, 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 and other resources, please send them to the JFI website for more information. SAVE THE DATE: Next JFI National Zoom Call – Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific Please note on your calendars the date and time for the August 28, 2024 JFI National Zoom Call. Information to participate in the call will be sent to the participant call list. Please send us an email if you want to be on the list. Welcome Wednesdays Series For our #welcomewednesday, watch Bishop Seitz on video debunk the myth that the Church facilitates in smuggling children.   Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Agency Executives From Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, NJ: God Walks with His People Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio (video): The anniversary of tragic loss of 53 migrants on June 27, 2022 Regina Munch, Associate Editor at Commonweal: Biden’s New Border Policy: Making migrants’ journeys more difficult 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 July 2 CMS Migration Update, which includes: DHS Re-Designates and Extends TPS For Haitians Border Crossings Have Dropped 40 Percent Since Biden Asylum Rule Took Effect U.S. State Department Issues Annual Trafficking in Persons Report 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 2 de julio, que incluye: DHS redesigna y extiende el TPS para haitianos Los cruces fronterizos han caído un 40 por ciento desde que entró en vigor la norma de asilo de Biden El Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. publica el Informe Anual sobre la Trata de Personas (TIP)  Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. Center for Migration Studies (CMS) of New York: Parole-in-Place Will Benefit 455,000 U.S. Families and Improve the US Economy: Most Living in California and Texas President Biden’s recent decision to extend parole-in-place to the undocumented spouses of US citizens who entered the country without inspection is a significant first step in strengthening American families and the US economy. Under the program, the Center for Migration Studies of New York estimates that 455,000 undocumented spouses of US citizens with 1) marriages valid before June 17, 2024 and 2) proof of presence in the country since June 2014 are protected from the looming threat of deportation, have the opportunity to pursue a pathway to citizenship, and are able to obtain official work authorization. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: Unprecedented U.S. immigration surge boosts job growth, output The current U.S. immigration surge is unprecedented. The influx flew under the radar for some time, dismissed simply as pent-up immigration from when the borders essentially closed during the pandemic. But this year’s Congressional Budget Office budget and economic outlook brought new attention to the migrant inflow and its expected economic effects. By incorporating previously unavailable data on migration along the southwest border into the government’s economic and fiscal outlook, the macroeconomic implications of such high levels of migration come into focus. This analysis provides insight into some of the benefits. American Immigration Council: The Expanding Role of H-2A Workers in U.S. Agriculture The H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker Program allows U.S. employers that face a shortage of domestic workers to hire foreign nationals for temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs. An American Immigration Council analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data reveals significant demand across the country for H-2A workers who provide vital support to America's food production. UNHCR Global Trends: Increase in Forcibly Displaced to 120 Million Globally The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released its annual Global Trends report, which found that the number of forcibly displaced increased from 117 million at the end of 2023 to 120 million by May 2024. National Immigration Forum: Explainer: Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Work Visas This explainer provides a list and brief explanation of various visas available for U.S.-based employers to hire noncitizens in the country.  Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services Save the Date: CMS' September 2024 Conference in New York 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! 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! Send us an email to get connected.   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice