Email from USCCB     JFI Biweekly Review: Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025 Happy New Year! Here are some of what you will find in this newsletter: Recent homilies from USCCB Migration Committee Chairman Mark Seitz USCCB statement on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe New JFI resource: Immigration Enforcement and Protected Areas JFI National Zoom Call on Thurs., Jan. 9, 2025 The latest #WelcomeWednesdays post Latest statements from various Catholic bishops in the U.S. Notable new publications Upcoming events Recent homilies from Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso Please take a moment to watch these recent homilies and note how immigration is described in light of the Holy Family's experience: In English / En Español USCCB Statement: Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Powerful Reminder that We Are All Called to Be One in Christ Jesus The Catholic Church commemorates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, annually on December 12th. Besides this Marian feast day and devotion to the Blessed Mother carrying special significance for many immigrants in the United States, Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as patroness of the unborn after appearing to Saint Juan Diego as a pregnant mother. In a reflection released on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, several committee chairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote about the particular significance that “La Virgen” under this title holds for the country in these times. New JFI resource: Immigration Enforcement and Protected Areas In light of recent reporting, MRS has produced a new explainer on protected areas (formerly known as sensitive locations). This resource will be updated in the event of any changes to the current protected areas guidance. In addition to the options provided in the document for reporting violations of the protected areas guidance, we also encourage you to share such instances with JFI. As we move into a new administration that will likely bring new initiatives and challenges on the migration front, our 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: JFI National Zoom Call – Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific Please note on your calendars the date and time for the January 9, 2025 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 For #welcomewednesday, Getachew Besher at Catholic Charities in Rochester, shares stories of refugee families he has worked with; "you hear this kind of appreciation that is coming from the heart.” See more here. Save the Date and Join Us Next Year: 2025 National Immigration Conference at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC  Register Now: 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) Join 10 USCCB departments and 20 national Catholic organizations later this month 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 December 9 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Hispanic Senators Urge Biden to Protect Immigrants Before Leaving Office 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 9 de diciembre que incluye: Senadores hispanos instan al presidente Biden a proteger a los inmigrantes antes de finalizar su presidencia  Recent Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, and Interviews by Catholic Bishops and Catholic Agency Executives New Jersey Catholic Bishops: Letter of Pastoral Interest on Immigration California Conference of Catholic Bishops: Am I not here, I who am your mother? A letter from the Washington State Catholic Conference on immigration: English / Español Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore: A message to our Sisters and Brothers in the Immigrant Community Arizona faith leaders op-ed signed by Bishop Edward Weisenburger, Diocese of Tucson, and Bishop John Dolan, Diocese of Phoenix: Deportation raids at churches? That assaults our religious freedom Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. Center for Migration Studies: Impeding Access to Asylum: Title 42 “Expulsions” and Migrant Deaths in Southern Arizona Immigration at the US-México border has drastically changed since the mid-2010s. Instead of adult undocumented Mexican men, generally migrating for economic purposes, there are now large numbers of men, women, unaccompanied minors, and families from diverse countries seeking asylum in the United States, as they are allowed to do under US and international law. In response to these changes, the US federal government leveraged multiple strategies to impede access to the country’s asylum system, including relying on Title 42 “expulsions.” Title 42, a COVID-19-era health measure, prevented migrants from initiating an asylum claim. Instead, asylum-seekers were typically immediately expelled to the closest port of entry in México. The use of public health as a pretext to control the border placed these migrants at risk and led many to attempt repeat border crossings. Given this policy context, we ask: what, if any, is the association between Title 42 expulsions and migrant deaths in southern Arizona? Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services Franciscan Action Network’s (FAN) 4th Annual “Faith in Democracy” Interfaith Vigil. January 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM Eastern. Register now to join FAN for our next "Faith in Democracy" Interfaith Prayer Vigil, a powerful moment of prayer, reflection, and unity as our newly elected officials take office. This hybrid event, taking place both in person at the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol and via livestream, is a call for peace, democracy, and resolving our differences without violence. Blessings for the New Year and 2025, 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