JFI Biweekly Review: Aug. 26 - Sept. 6, 2024 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI including the USCCB's Labor Day statement, webinar recording, statements, and upcoming events. USCCB Committee Chairmen: Pray, Work, and Advocate for Protection of All Laborers and a Just Economy for All In a joint reflection for Labor Day 2024, the USCCB chairmen, Archbishop Borys Gudziak (right) and Bishop Mark Seitz (below), called for a more just economy that honors the human dignity of all who labor, inclusive of those who have newly arrived in the country, as well as those whose families have been here for generations. The bishops also addressed affronts to the dignity of children, who have been identified by some as supplemental sources of labor amid widespread worker shortages. “The Church offers a vision for the future that does not require our society to choose between a thriving economy, economic justice, dignified conditions for all workers, and safeguarding the most vulnerable among us,” the bishops state, calling attention to the plight of those who work in industries without protections due to their immigration status. Please read and share the 2024 Labor Day statement (also available en Español). Archbishop Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia is chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Seitz of El Paso is chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration. RECORDING: USCCB/Migration & Refugee Services (MRS) and CLINIC Webinar Staff from the USCCB/MRS and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), recently held a webinar (flyer on the right) on the new parole in place process for certain undocumented family members of U.S. citizens, which was first announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on June 18, 2024. The recording for this informative webinar is now available for your use and to share with others in your network. REMINDER: 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 (in Spanish), where we expand on the theme and suggest possible ways for your community to get involved. Also available on the webpage are prayer resources and homily notes. 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]. LAST CALL: Center for Migration Studies/MRS Conference in New York – September 12, 2024 If you are in the New York area, please join us for an upcoming conference. On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) will host a 2024 Immigrant Integration Convening, A Church at the Borders: Best Practices, Promises and Aspirations for the Integration of Migrants in New York, to be held at St. John's University in New York City. The arrival of over 190,000 asylum-seekers to the New York area over the past two years has brought into focus what it means to be a welcoming city, and especially, “What does welcome and integration mean for the Church today?” Certain parishes and universities, legal and social services have made great strides, but emerging “best practices” have neither been identified nor shared widely. The 2024 IIC will shed light on the integration of migrants within all the organizations and institutions of the Church in the area, and show, in many places, how migrants are leading the way. Please visit our registration site to learn more. Problem Areas In Immigration Series: Statelessness According to international law, a person who is not considered to be a national of any state under the operation of its law is stateless. The U.S. Department of State has a longer, more detailed definition: A stateless person is someone who, under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship – the legal bond between a government and an individual – in any country. While some people are de jure, or legally stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens under the laws of any state), many people are de facto, or effectively stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens by any state even if they have a claim to citizenship under the laws of one or more states). The September issue of our problem areas in migration series focuses on statelessness and this population of people, examines some of the challenges they face, and possible improvements that could be made to improve their situations. Please take a moment to read the latest installment in our series. Reminder: New Bilingual Resource on Family Relief Services Following the Biden Administration’s mid-summer announcement 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. 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 to be released in the coming weeks. Please listen to the webinar recording noted above for the most up to date information.   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 August 27 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Republican Attorneys General Sue to Halt Biden Family Unity Program DHS Report Reveals Inadequate Protection for Unaccompanied Minors State Department Announces Intent to Fund Protection for Palestinians 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 27 de agosto, que incluye: Fiscales generales republicanos demandan para detener el programa de unidad familiar de Biden Informe del DHS revela protección inadecuada para menores no acompañados El Departamento de Estado anuncia su intención de financiar la protección de los palestinos Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, Videos and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, (Arch)Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives Interview with Bishop Seitz at the Darien Gap: 'You could see the suffering in their faces' Arizona Catholic Bishops Statement: Opposing Proposition 314 on Immigration CMSOnAir Interview: Vino Pajanor: How Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego Serves Migrants  Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. American Immigration Council: Temporary Protected Status: An Overview Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of certain countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to be deported there. TPS has been a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of individuals already in the United States when problems in a home country make their departure or deportation untenable. This fact sheet provides an overview of how TPS designations are determined, what benefits TPS confers, and how TPS beneficiaries apply for and regularly renew their status. Cardoza School of Law: Held Incommunicado: The Failed Promise of Language Access in Immigration Detention Published last week, this report indicates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not providing sufficient translation services to detainees in its facilities, breaking its own rules and federal law. Detainees' main complaints included being unable to ask for medical care and having to rely on other detainees for the translation of sensitive documents.  Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services Pax Christi USA’s Virtual National Conference, September 6-7, 2024. Registration is now open for Pax Christi USA’s virtual National Conference, taking place via Zoom on September 6 and 7. Friday evening's opening plenary will be a moderated conversation between Pax Christi USA's new Executive Director, Charlene Howard, with JustFaith's founder and Executive Director Jack Jezreel on what it means to be Catholic and prophetic in the United States today. Ignation Solidarity Network Online Event: Voting is an Act of Love: Educators Conversation, September 10, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET. As we approach the 2024 election, how are you preparing to hold civil, values-based civic conversations in your classroom and/or on your campus? Join us for an open space for conversation with fellow educators to share questions, ideas, and food for thought as we continue to encourage young people to exercise their right and responsibility to vote for candidates and issues that support the common good. Register for this event. At the Beatitudes Center (Moro Bay, CA): A Virtual Conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle S.J., September 14, 2024 at 11 AM PT. Fr. Greg is the author of the NY Times-bestsellers Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion Compassion and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He has received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. Fr. Greg will share insights into his work with young at-risk people of color. Please register to join us. In-Person DACA Renewal Clinic (Chicago, IL), September 17, 2024 at 3 PM CT. At this FREE legal clinic, private attorneys from Chicago's top law firms will join with National Immigrant Justice Center to complete and file applications for qualified applicants to RENEW their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Please see the event website for more information and to register. The Coterie: 2024 National Labor Trafficking Conference, October 16-17, 2024. The Coterie provides training and capacity-building support to address prevention, identification, and response to human trafficking. Executives and staff of Catholic Charities agencies will be among the presenters at this virtual conference. Register and join us. 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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