Email from USCCB     JFI Biweekly Review: Nov. 18 - Dec. 6, 2024 JFI Colleagues, Please see below for the latest updates from JFI. USCCB Addresses Issues Related to NDAA As conference negotiations on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 are being finalized, the USCCB sent a letter to congressional leadership outlining positions on four outstanding issues. Within the letter, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the Committee on Migration, expressed support for Afghans living in the United States without a permanent status and the need to continue assisting those outside of the country who remain vulnerable because of their support for the U.S. mission. Bishops' Statements on Migration In the aftermath of the recent national election, Catholic bishops from across the U.S. have reiterated their support for vulnerable migrant populations. For your reference, these statements are posted on this new page on the JFI website and more statements will be added as they become available. New JFI Webpage: Policy Issues and Catholic Teaching As we move into a new administration that will likely bring new initiatives and challenges on the migration front, this new JFI page on the website will provide an opportunity to explore some of the longstanding policy positions staked out by the institutional church on this issue and updated responses to emergent policy issues. NOTICE: Next JFI National Zoom Call – Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific Please note on your calendars the date and time for the December 17, 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.  Reminder: Post-Election FAQs This resource provides answers to common questions following the 2024 Election. Join Us Next Year: 2025 National Immigration Conference at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC Welcome Wednesdays For #welcomewednesday, Kwach Kwan Abwol at St Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing, MI describes a client who arrived without knowing any English and is now training to become a doctor which makes her "feel like a proud mother." See the latest video. And Getachew Beshir, Refugee Program Manager at Catholic Charities in Rochester, NY, reflects on how "helping others is the truest way to happiness." See video here.  Registration is open for the 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) Join 10 USCCB departments and 20 national Catholic organizations as we pray, learn, and work to uplift and defend human dignity at home and abroad. CSMG speakers include Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Dr. Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB. Register today   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 November 26 CMS Migration Update, which includes: The U.S. Resettles 7,639 Refugees in the First Month of FY 2025 DHS to Add Nearly 65,000 Visas to H-2B Program for FY 2025 Federal District Court Strikes Down Biden Program for Immigrant Families 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 noviembre que incluye: Estados Unidos re-asienta a 7.639 refugiados en el primer mes del año fiscal 2025 DHS agregará casi 65,000 visas al programa H-2B para el año fiscal 2025 Tribunal de Distrito Federal anula el programa de Biden para familias inmigrantes  Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, and Interviews by Catholic Bishops and Catholic Agency Executives Cardinal Timothy Dolan (video), Archdiocese of New York: A Word from Cardinal Dolan: Feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Emeritus - Diocese of Brooklyn: Issue of migration vulnerable to being formed more by public opinion than by studied public policy processes C. Mario Russell, Executive Director - Center for Migration Studies (CMS) of New York: CMS Will Continue to Defend and Uphold the Dignity and Rights of Migrants and Protect America Kelly Ryan, President - JRS/USA: Opening doors at Advent and all year long: How JRS responds to the plight of refugees Sr. Christine Schenk - National Catholic Reporter Board Member: It is time to take a stand for our immigrants  Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): Unaccompanied Children: Efforts by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to Address GAO Recommendations This report details the efforts of the Office of Refugee Resettlement to address recommendations related to its role in caring for unaccompanied children, which were identified in recent GAO reports. American Immigration Council Fact Sheet: Birthright Citizenship in the United States Some federal policy makers have commented on restricting birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. However, the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution and decades of Supreme Court precedent have maintained that anyone born on U.S. territory is a citizen by birth. This fact sheet breaks down key questions regarding birthright citizenship. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services The Cardinal's Christmas Concert hosted by Cardinal Blase Cupich, December 8, 2024 at 2 PM at the Church of the Holy Family, Chicago, IL. Call 312-644-0600 for more information. Pax Christi USA Young Adult Caucus (PCYAC), Solitude to Solidarity: How contemplative work can make us better peace-builders, December 14, 2024 at Noon ET. The retreat will include three short presentations from different PCYAC members, some time for reflection and journaling, as well as opportunities for small group engagement. Sign up and join us! Advent blessings, 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