JFI Week in Review 6/8/20 - 6/12/20

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

¡Nuevo! Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Comunicado del Presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal sobre George Floyd y las Protestas en Ciudades de Estados Unidos

El arzobispo José H. Gomez, de Los Ángeles, presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) emitió un comunicado sobre George Floyd y las protestas que han sucedido en ciudades de Estados Unidos en los últimos días. Este pronunciamiento sigue a la declaración del viernes 29 de siete presidentes de comités de obispos de la Conferencia Episcopal. Vea por favor el nuevo video bilingüe de la USCCB sobre el racismo disponible aquí.

¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir? Favor de enviarlos a Sarah Hoff y nosotros los promovemos.

Statement of U.S. Bishops' President on George Floyd and Protests in American Cities

On May 31, 2020, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB issued a statement on George Floyd and the protests in American cities that have recently occurred.

In the statement, Archbishop notes, "The killing of George Floyd was senseless and brutal, a sin that cries out to heaven for justice. How is it possible that in America, a black man's life can be taken from him while calls for help are not answered, and his killing is recorded as it happens? I am praying for George Floyd and his loved ones, and on behalf of my brother bishops, I share the outrage of the black community and those who stand with them in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and across the country."

Please also see the new USCCB bilingual video on racism available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0OpfAsmDY&feature=youtu.be

U.S. Bishops' Migration Chair Urges Action on 1 Year Anniversary of Passage of H.R. 6

June 4, 2020 marked the one-year anniversary of the passage of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides a pathway to citizenship for those who were brought to the U.S. as children by their parents ("Dreamers") and TPS and DED holders. Since the passage of H.R. 6 there has been no action in the Senate to advance permanent legislative protection.

In remarks noting the anniversary of H.R. 6, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, stated, "One year ago, today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6 . . . Today, sadly, Dreamers and TPS holders remain vulnerable and without permanent legal status. This continued uncertainty for Dreamers and TPS holders comes at a time during the COVID-19 pandemic when many Dreamers and TPS holders are, alongside U.S. citizens, on the frontlines providing essential work for our country in health care, food supply, and transportation . . . As we await a decision from the Supreme Court on the legality of ending the DACA program, we again call on the Senate to push forward with legislation that provides a path to citizenship for these individuals, who are essential to our communities, our Church and our country."

World Refugee Day - June 20th!

We are celebrating World Refugee Day this week! Please use our World Refugee Day 2020 Toolkit to celebrate in your community!

USCCB, CCUSA, and JRS-USA are sponsoring a webinar, "World Refugee Day: Refugees during COVID-19", at 2 PM Eastern on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. RSVP with [email protected]. Here is the webinar flyer:

Another World Refugee Day event will occur on June 18th at 2 PM Eastern, discussing the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and explaining how to support the asylum system during COVID 19.

Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns also has events commemorating World Refugee Day.

June 15 at 11 AM Eastern: Meet Maryknoll Lay Missioner Heidi Cerneka on the U.S.-Mexico border on Facebook Live and YouTube Live.
June 17 at 2 PM Eastern: Praying as We Journey with Refugees led by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Register in advance.
June 22 at 11 AM Eastern: Meet Maryknoll Lay Missioner Dee Dungy in Kenya on Facebook Live and YouTube Live.

Is your organization or diocese celebrating World Refugee Day? Check out our WRD event list for Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Utah and please feel free to include your event.

USCCB Letter In Support of Releasing Pregnant Women from Immigrant Detention

In response to a recent Government Accountability Office report investigating the care of pregnant women in immigrant detention and Border Patrol custody, Bishop Dorsonville, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, and Chair of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities expressed their concern in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the care and well-being of expectant mothers in DHS and Customs and Border Protection custody, and formally requested the Trump Administration to rescind its 2017 policy of ending automatic release for pregnant women.

To learn more about Immigrant Detention, please see our backgrounder.

JFI Action Alert to the U.S. Senate on Further COVID-19 Relief Actions

JFI has a new action alert seeking COVID-19 relief in the Senate which includes immigrants and refugees. The alert asks the Senate to:

1) Automatically extend work authorization and visa renewal deadlines for refugees and immigrants who are providing economic and recovery assistance to our country (particularly DACA recipients, TPS holders and essential workers);

2) Provide no-cost COVID-19 testing and treatment for all;

3) Ensure that immigrant and refugee populations are eligible for stimulus
payments;

4) Halt the implementation of the new public charge rules; and

5) Appropriate $642 million in supplemental funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement to care for vulnerable migrant populations living in the U.S.

Please send our action alert to let your Senator know that protections for immigrants and refugees need to be included in the next COVID-19 relief package. Use these talking points when engaging your Senators, whose support is needed to pass further life-saving legislation.

For more information, read Our Migration-Related Asks for a possible COVID-19 Package #4 backgrounder and our backgrounder on the migration provisions in the House HEROES Act.

USCCB/MRS Comment On Unaccompanied Children Intake Forms

On June 11, 2020, USCCB/MRS submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement regarding the Proposed Information Collection Activities within the Unaccompanied Children Program.

USCCB/MRS Sends a Letter to the Administration on Use of Videoteleconferencing for Unaccompanied Children Court Cases

USCCB/MRS has partnered with Catholic Charities in various cities to send a letter to the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) regarding the use of Video Teleconference (VTC) for the immigration hearings for unaccompanied children. The letter to EOIR flags concerns over the use of VTC hearings for children and notes that the obstacles posed by this medium seriously undermine a child's access to a fair hearing. In light of COVID-19, USCCB/MRS urges that hearings for unaccompanied children be postponed and VTC be used only in emergency situations in order to keep children and all staff involved in immigration proceedings safe.

See our Resource Page on Unaccompanied Children to learn more about unaccompanied kids.

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University

Georgetown University recently sponsored an event, Justice and Faith, Family and Community: Latino Leadership in a Time of Crisis, that examined twin crises faced in Latino communities right now: the injustice and racism revealed by the death of George Floyd and the outrage it has created, as well as the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on Latino and other communities of color. The conversation among young Latino leaders explored how faith and Catholic social teachings can help shape how we respond to these crises in our own lives, families, and the broader community. Bishop Mario Dorsonville, Chairman of the Committee on Migration was one of the panelists and discussed the work of the Justice for Immigrants campaign as well as his personal connection to the fight for immigrants. A video of the program is available for viewing.

Recent Immigration Webinar Recordings

Recordings for two recent webinars organized by JFI partners are now available for viewing. The first, DACA: Preparation for Action, was co-sponsored by Holy Name Province Franciscans, a JFI core-member organization. The second, Supporting and Protecting Essential Workers, was a collaboration with our partners at CCUSA and is available on our COVID 19 Website.

Save the Date: Next JFI National Call - July 1, 2020 at 3 PM Eastern

Join us for the next Justice for Immigrants National Call on July 1, 2020 at 3 PM Eastern. A call reminder and agenda will be sent in soon. Email [email protected] to include agenda items.

Reminder on Upcoming Supreme Court Decision on DACA

The Supreme Court will rule this month on the legality of the DACA program. When the decision is announced, we will have resources ready for your use to advocate to protect Dreamers. Here is our SAVE THE DATE for a JFI webinar at 2 PM Eastern on the day after the SCOTUS decision is issued. Please share this information with your networks and plan to participate.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Virtual Eucharistic Conference: Celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi with the Universal Church - June 12-14, 2020 - Since 1881, Eucharistic Conferences have been a staple in the Church for spreading of our Catholic faith. While a virtual conference could never replace receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, this conference will inspire participants towards a greater appreciation of being a Catholic. Bishop Talley of Memphis and Bishop Scharfenberger of Albany will be among the presenters. Register now for this free event.
COVID-19 Immigrant Family Support Project - To address the support gap that exists in the current pandemic, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights and Illinois Department of Human Services created the
COVID-19 Immigrant Family Support Project. This will provide immigrant families, who are not eligible for other local forms of relief, with up to $1,000/household. Visit the project website to apply.
Centreville (VA) Immigration Forum Food Drive - COVID 19 has been difficult for many immigrant families in the Northern Virginia area. The Centreville Immigration Forum is holding a food drive to assist immigrant families. Donation information, including how you can help if you are not in the local area, is available on their website.
Archdiocese of Seattle Webinar: Responding to Grief and Loss in a Pandemic- June 16, 2020 at 6 PM Pacific - Join this free webinar from the Archdiocese of Seattle and hear from a priest and mental health professionals on best practices in helping friends and loved ones respond to hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is required.

Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) Solidarity on Tap: Marissa Montes - June 24, 2020 at 9 PM Eastern - Ignatian Solidarity Network invites you to join a conversation with Marissa Montes, Director and Co-Founder of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic. RSVP requested.

In Solidarity,

Tony Cube