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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.
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