Email from USCCB     JFI Biweekly Review: February 3 - 14, 2025 Happy Valentine's Day! Here are some of what you will find in this newsletter: Letter from Pope Francis to the U.S. Catholic bishops Archbishop Broglio responds to the Pope’s letter JFI action alert (please send to your federal lawmakers!) Spring 2025 immigration conference in Washington, DC – Register NOW USCCB/MRS Policy resources New and updated JFI resources The latest #WelcomeWednesdays post Policy update Latest statements from various Catholic bishops and church-affiliated organizations in the U.S. Upcoming events  The Vatican: Letter of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops of the United States of America Earlier this week, the Holy Father wrote to the Catholic bishops of the United States affirming their work on behalf of migrants and refugees, and offered his support, moral encouragement, and prayers. In the letter to the USCCB, Pope Francis said that deporting people who often come from difficult situations violates the “dignity of many men and women, and of entire families.” The pope wrote that he had “followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations,” adding that any policy built on force “begins badly and will end badly.” Archbishop Broglio Responds to Letter from Pope Francis “As successor to Saint Peter, you call not only every Catholic, but every Christian to what unites us in faith – offering the hope of Jesus Christ to every person, citizen and immigrant alike,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB in a letter responding to Pope Francis. “We all turn to the Lord in prayer that families suffering from the sudden withdrawal of aid may find the strength to endure. With you, we pray that the U.S. government keep its prior commitments to help those in desperate need,” he said. Archbishop Broglio closed by asking the Holy Father for his continued prayers “so that we may find the courage as a nation to build a more humane system of immigration, one that protects our communities while safeguarding the dignity of all.” Read the full text of Archbishop Broglio’s letter to Pope Francis here. NEW ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Protect the Persecuted JFI has launched an 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. 2025 National Immigration Conference at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC USCCB/MRS is cosponsoring a conference with the Catholic University of America (CUA) titled “Rethinking Migration Narratives – Catholic Immigration Advocacy in 2025 and Beyond,” which will take place March 3-5, 2025 at CUA. This conference will explore the various narratives surrounding Immigration and offer a Catholic alternative to them. There is an evening event on March 3 that will share some on the ground perspectives related to this topic. March 4th is the primary conference day with a Congressional advocacy day taking place on the 5th. If you plan to participate in the advocacy day, please register for the conference by COB, Friday, February 21. Here is a link to the registration page, with further information available about the various workshops: law.edu/immigration. We hope to see you at the conference! New/Recent Policy Resources: The following resources have been released by USCCB/MRS in recent days: NEW: Summary of Initial Migration-Related Executive Actions of the Second Trump Administration NEW: 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]. The Pray With Us video series features short reflections shared as prayer reflections designed to inspire and engage our audience. This series is an evolution of the St. Josephine Bakhita Prayer Service, a monthly gathering held on the 8th to honor St. Josephine Bakhita's Feast Day (February 8). These services focused on human trafficking and its related issues, aiming to educate and raise awareness about exploitation. Here is the first video honoring St. Bakhita's feast day. Also, please see the USCCB statement for the feast day of St. Bakhita. Welcome Wednesdays For #welcomewednesday, we showcase Laetitia and Margaret who have worked at @CCharitiesGHTX for 6 and 18 years respectively and are deeply embedded in their community. 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]).   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 February 12 CMS Migration Update, which includes: In one of her first acts, Attorney General Biondi blocks funding to sanctuary jurisdictions Trump orders the resettlement of White Afrikaners to the US Afghans who assisted the US included in refugee ban View the January 29 CMS Migration Update, which includes: DHS rescinds extension of TPS for Venezuelans DHS halts funding to NGOs who work with immigrants Laken Riley Act signed into law Trump announces intent to send criminal aliens to Guantanamo Recent Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, Videos, Social Media Posts and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and (Arch)Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego: Speak up against ‘war of fear and terror’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York on his weekly radio show on the Catholic Channel: Cardinal Dolan responds to Vice President Vance’s comments about immigration and the Catholic church Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Setting the record straight I deeply appreciate the prophetic witness of Pope Francis (Vatican media radio interview) Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco: Letter on immigration Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles: Time for immigration reform (again) Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas: The United States needs a legal immigration process that works Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis: Statement on Immigrants and Refugees Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami: Bringing clarity, context to the U.S. bishops’ stance in immigration debate The World Over | Trump, USCCB & Immigration: Abp. Wenski with Raymond Arroyo Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose: Witness to Mercy: The Vital Work of Catholic Relief Services Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend: Freedom of Worship for Migrants Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington: A Pastoral Statement on American Immigration Law and the Catholic Imperative of Upholding Human Dignity and the Common Good North Carolina Catholic Bishops joint statement: Immigration is ‘a moral concern’ affecting dignity and human rights Catholic Bishops of Arizona: Statement on Recent Immigration Issues Catholic Bishops of Michigan: A Pastoral Note to Migrants Minnesota Catholic Bishops: Statement on Immigration Law and the Common Good of the Nation Wisconsin Catholic Bishops: Pastoral Statement on Immigration Carolyn Woo, former Executive Director – CRS: I led Catholic Relief Services. I’ve seen USAID projects change lives John Lavenburg, The Crux, Bishop Seitz responds to Vance on immigration: ‘he clearly doesn’t know me’ National Catholic Reporter Editorial: Silence in the face of Trump's cruelty is complicity Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc. Migration Policy Institute Explainer: How ICE Identifies, Arrests & Deports Removable Noncitizens from the U.S. Interior While attention to federal immigration enforcement has long focused chiefly on operations at U.S. borders, significant activity also takes place within the U.S. interior. This new explainer from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) examines the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detailing how the agency identifies, arrests, detains and deports noncitizens in the U.S. interior who have violated immigration laws. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Services Franciscan Action Network (FAN): An Evening of Reflection, February 19, 2025 at 7 PM ET. Join FAN staff for an evening focusing on “Living in Hope and Loving Kindness.” Much like our Advent reflection, we will have time for a guided meditation and quiet reflection, followed by time for small group sharing. We look forward to you joining us. Center for Migration Studies (CMS) New York Webinar: Understanding and Responding to Trump Immigration Actions, February 19, 2025 at 1 PM Eastern. Webinar speakers will discuss some of the immigration actions taken by the Trump administration, examine their significance and potential harm, and suggest advocacy and legal responses to them. Topics will include border enforcement, mass deportations, and protected areas (“sensitive locations”). Register today. 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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