Email from USCCB     JFI Biweekly Review: February 17-28, 2025 Hello Justice for Immigrants colleagues, Happy Friday! Here are some of what you will find in this newsletter: USCCB sends letter to Congressional leadership as path still unclear for the budget USCCB lawsuit filed on suspension of the refugee admissions program Video of Georgetown event with USCCB Migration Committee Chairman Bishop Seitz JFI electronic postcard to share with family and friends Excerpt from Pope Francis' message for Lent Ash Wednesday prayer service in Washington, DC USCCB/MRS Policy resources New and updated JFI resources The latest #WelcomeWednesdays post Latest statements from various Catholic bishops and church-affiliated organizations in the U.S. Upcoming events  House and Senate Pass Separate Budget Resolutions; Path Ahead Remains Unclear While the House and Senate have now passed separate budget resolutions—the first stage in the reconciliation process—the two chambers must reconcile their differing approaches before moving forward. The House has proposed one bill covering migration-related issues, energy, and tax reform, whereas the Senate has proposed a two-bill approach, beginning with a bill addressing migration-related and energy issues. When and how the chambers will come together on a single approach are questions that remain unanswered. The two chambers will need to pass the same budget resolution before being able to proceed with crafting a reconciliation bill. Ultimately, Republicans in both the House and Senate are seeking to use the reconciliation process to provide hundreds of billions of additional dollars for immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, several chairmen of the USCCB sent a letter to congressional leadership addressing the reconciliation process. The USCCB will continue to monitor this process closely and provide updates, as well as opportunities for engagement. USCCB Files Lawsuit on Unlawful Suspension of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops filed a lawsuit on February 18 challenging the government’s unlawful suspension of funding for its refugee admissions program. For decades, the USCCB has partnered with the U.S. government and locally based Catholic partners to help nearly a million individuals find safety and build their lives in the United States. The unilateral and unexplained decision of the government to suspend this program will have devastating impacts on refugees, making it harder for them to establish themselves in their new home. Read the full legal filing here. Georgetown University event video: Migration, Refugee Resettlement, and Mass Deportation: Moral, Human, Policy Choices A pledge of “massive deportations” was at the center of President Trump’s 2024 campaign, and steps are already being taken to carry this out in the early days of his administration. Executive orders and other actions taken by the administration pose serious threats to immigrant families and to refugees, present a pastoral challenge for Catholic and other faith communities, and infringe on the constitutional rights of religious organizations to carry out their ministries serving their neighbors in need. What are the moral dimensions, human consequences, and policy aspects of these commitments and actions? How should the principles of Catholic social teaching shape a response for people of faith and national and local leaders? In this timely public dialogue, five experts and leaders, including Bishop Mark Seitz of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, discussed the administration’s plans along with questions of human dignity, family separation, border integrity, the right to seek asylum, religious liberty, and related issues. JFI Electronic Postcard JFI has launched an electronic postcard campaign that you can send to friends and loved ones, inviting them to learn about Catholic teaching and migration. The Catholic Church’s teaching on migration is informed by both the Biblical tradition and by Catholic teaching. While neither the Bible nor the Church’s moral tradition provide any definitive or technical accounts of how migration policies should be crafted, it does offer a framework that informs our engagement with migrant communities and the political questions that affect migrants and native born alike. Send them a postcard today! Excerpt from the Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2025 Let us journey together in hope "First of all, to journey. The Jubilee motto, “Pilgrims of Hope”, evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones."  Capitol Hill Ash Wednesday Prayer Event with Immigration Conference Advocates If you are in Washington DC on Ash Wednesday (March 5th), please join us on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for a brief prayer service and distribution of ashes, starting at 9 AM. The service will serve as send off for attendees of our immigration conference as they go to their advocacy meetings with Senators that day. Find us near the corner of First Street and Constitution Ave. NE (across the street from the Russell Senate Building). JFI Action Alert: Urge Congress to Protect the Persecuted JFI has a live action alert calling on advocates to urge their members of Congress to lift up their voice in support of upholding our nation’s bipartisan legacy of refugee resettlement. Please take action on the alert today! New/Recent Policy Resources: The following resources have been released by USCCB/MRS in recent days: Summary of Initial Migration-Related Executive Actions of the Second Trump Administration Explainer on The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and the Catholic Church UPDATED: Explainer on Immigration Enforcement and Protected Areas Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform These and other resources from USCCB/MRS Policy and Advocacy are available and will be updated at usccb.org/migrationpolicy. Q & A - Responding to Immigration Enforcement Efforts As the new administration engages in increased immigration enforcement efforts, it is important that communities across the country be able to respond. This new resource includes information in reference to know your rights, standby guardianship, sensitive locations, rapid response efforts, and related topics. It aims at providing a consolidated resource for people seeking resources pertinent to this issue. It is available in both English and Spanish. New and Updated JFI Resources Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform: For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been consistent and steadfast in their calls for a just reform of the nation’s immigration system. The elements of reform articulated below are grounded in Catholic social teaching generally and the Church’s teaching on migration specifically, including the joint pastoral letter released by the American and Mexican bishops, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope (2003). JFI Policy Issues Page: 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. Bishops Statements on Migration: This contains links to statements made by bishops, individually and collectively, on the topic of migration here in the United States. If your bishop has released a statement and it is not currently on our site, please give us a heads up and send a link to [email protected]. Welcome Wednesdays For #welcomewednesday, we feature Heidi, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner of 29 years, who works with migrants in El Paso. Check out the video. JFI Video Project: Request for Submissions We are looking to create a series of short videos (1-2 minutes each) that highlight the Church’s response to migration on the ground in various dioceses. These videos will help provide a clearer understanding of how the Church is responding to the needs of migrants, including DACA recipients, refugees, religious workers, and other migrant groups. We are particularly interested in showcasing the work being done by diocesan leaders, ministries, and local communities, and would like to include interviews or testimonies from individuals directly affected. With respect to privacy and sensitivity, we are committed to protecting the anonymity of any participants who wish to remain anonymous. These videos will not only highlight the Church's ongoing efforts but also bring a human face to the issue of migration and how the Church is walking alongside those in need. If you are able to assist or have any recommendations for people or stories to feature, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please reach out to Katherine Clifton, MRS' Assistant Director of Communications, if you are interested. She can help with planning, filming, and editing ([email protected]).   Recent Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, Social Media Posts and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and (Arch)Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago: ‘It could actually cause death’ Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami: Bringing clarity, context to the U.S. bishops’ stance in immigration debate Georgia Catholic Bishops: Georgia bishops respond to recent immigration actions Commonweal Podcast: The New ‘Preeminent Urgency’ Cardinal Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago speaks about why “the protection and advocacy for the dignity of migrants” is the Church’s new “preeminent urgency. Leaders of the Passionist Congregation: Passionist statement on current U.S. immigration policies National Catholic Reporter: Q&A with lawyers about impact of Trump's immigration executive orders Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. Congressional Research Service: The H-1B Visa for Specialty Occupation Workers This report outlines the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations, primarily in STEM fields, while highlighting its dual role in fostering economic competitiveness and raising concerns about labor market impacts on U.S. workers. The authors examine ongoing policy debates, including calls for reforms to address program abuse, prioritize higher-skilled workers, and balance the needs of employers with protections for domestic labor. Migration Policy Institute Explainer: ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior Immigration enforcement takes place not just at U.S. borders but also in the nation’s interior. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responsibility for all federal immigration enforcement, with two of its agencies each playing separate major roles. U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens noncitizens entering the country and apprehends those attempting to enter without authorization. In the U.S. interior, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for arresting, detaining, and removing noncitizens who have violated immigration laws. Therefore, ICE plays the major role in enforcement away from the border, shaping the size and scope of deportations and returns from within the country. American Immigration Council: Understanding INA Section 212(f): The President’s Authority to Suspend the Entry of Noncitizens During his first term in office, President Trump used Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to suspend the entry of noncitizens at the southern border between ports of entry. He has since issued an even broader proclamation during his second term. His current order not only suspends the entry of migrants, but also seeks to "repel, repatriate, or remove” any migrant as well as bar them from seeking any form of benefit under the INA which could permit them to remain in the country. The legality of this is in question. In this fact sheet, we break down Section 212(f) and how presidents, including Trump, have used it. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services From the Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark: Mass and pilgrimage for migrants and refugees, March 5, 2025 at !0 AM. Join a special Mass and pilgrimage for migrants and refugees on March 5th (Ash Wednesday) beginning at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It will be followed by a pilgrimage to the federal building where we will hold a prayer service and distribute ashes. Get more information and see you there. Report release: Lives at Risk, March 6, 2025 at 1 PM Eastern. Join the Hope Border Institute and Jesuit Refugee Service-Mexico in launching our latest report and a conversation about how U.S.-Mexico migration policies impact migrants' health at the border and what to do about it. Franciscan Action Network (FAN) and Congregation Action Network: Training for Allies of Immigrants (hybrid), March 9, 2025 at 3 PM Eastern. The training will include Know Your Rights, Family Preparedness, Bystander and Rapid Response, De-escalation and Accompaniment. Click here to register. 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! Send us an email to get connected.   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice