JFI Members,

On July 16, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an "interim final rule" (Rule) that seeks to drastically reduce our asylum system. The Rule would allow the Administration to block most individuals arriving at our southern border from gaining access to asylum in the U.S., instead requiring them to apply for protection in almost any other country through which they transit.

In response to the Rule, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, issued a statement expressing his opposition. Bishop Vásquez stated: "Not only do we believe that this Rule is unlawful, but it also jeopardizes the safety of vulnerable individuals and families fleeing persecution and threatens family unity. Further, the Rule undermines our nation's tradition of being a global leader providing and being a catalyst for others to provide humanitarian protection to those in need."

USCCB also submitted a comment urging that DOJ and DHS withdraw the Rule. Please see our comment here.

If you are a JFI member, concerned Catholic, or other interested member of the community, we encourage you to submit a comment expressing your concern with the Rule via the comment submission website. You can feel free to use our comment as a template, but it is important that your comment be unique - you can even consider including a story explaining how this Rule impacts you, those you work with, or your fellow parishioners.

If you want to learn more about how to file comments, you can watch our federal rulemaking webinar, which gives a brief overview of the process.

Act by August 15, 2019 to stand in support of asylum seekers arriving at our southern border!

In Solidarity,