Email from USCCB Justice for Immigrants Biweekly Review: May 26-June 6, 2025   Updates and Resources   NEW ACTION ALERT – Urge Senators to Address Unjust Immigration Provisions in the Reconciliation Bill Right now, members of the Senate are considering the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives in May. This sweeping piece of legislation covers many different areas, including immigration. Before the bill passed in the House, several bishop chairmen of the USCCB wrote to Congress to commend certain provisions and to urge reconsideration of others that would irreparably harm the poor and disadvantaged, as well as our immigrant brothers and sisters. Ask your senators to remain consistent in protecting human life and dignity and promoting the common good by addressing these harmful provisions before moving the reconciliation bill forward. Click here to send or share the action alert. NEW STATEMENT – Bishop Seitz Says Travel Ban Further Erodes Trust in Our Legal Immigration System President Trump signed a proclamation this week that will suspend travel to the United States for nationals of twelve countries and significantly restrict travel for nationals of seven others. Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso issued the following statement in response: "Our country’s proud tradition as a land of opportunity for people from all walks of life is increasingly contradicted by a system that makes legal immigration impossible for far too many. A broad ban on nationals from these countries further erodes trust in our legal immigration system and marginalizes entire peoples. I pray that these restrictions will be lifted in due course and hope that the stated exceptions in the proclamation, such as those for Afghans who supported our country, immediate family members, and people seeking humanitarian protections, are honored.” ICYMI – USCCB Press Release on Protecting Pregnant Mothers and their Children Can Never be Considered “Obsolete” Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committe on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement responding to the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for addressing the heightened needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their newborn children while in CBP custody. Click here to read the press release. Upcoming Events World Refugee Day Webinar On June 18 at 2pm ET, we are hosting a virtual panel to explore the local, national, and international challenges facing refugee protection efforts. Register here! Sisters Speak Out On June 24 in Washington DC, sisters, associates, staff, and allies are invited to participate in Sisters Speak Out, a prayer and public witness for immigrants and a just economy. Register here! Immigrant Integration Convening From September 14-16 in NYC, the Center for Migration Studies and Fordham University will host the 2025 Immigrant Integration Convening, Supporting Migrants and Refugees: Finding Hope in a Time of Peril. Register here! Missionaries of Hope In honor of this year's theme for the World Day of Migrants & Refugees, we will share hopeful articles and videos in each newsletter. Please make a note that while National Migration Week will take place September 22-28 this year, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees will coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants on October 4-5: Remember Christ's compassion, show compassion to others, pope says, Catholic News Service: In a General Audience, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that compassion transcends religious boundaries, urging individuals to not let busyness hinder empathy. He highlighted the Good Samaritan parable as a model for action. Click here to read Pope Leo XIV's full address. "Before being a religious matter, compassion is a question of humanity! Before being believers, we are called to be human... Dear brothers and sisters, when will we too be capable of interrupting our journey and having compassion? When we understand that the wounded man in the street represents each one of us." Report: Immigration Data 'Much Lower' Than Trump Administration Claims, OSV News: A new report shows the U.S. undocumented immigrant population is 12.2 million—far lower than the 15–20 million figure often cited by the Trump administration. Catholic Universities Look To Support Foreign Students Amid Trump Visa Crackdown, OSV News: Catholic universities are actively supporting international students affected by recent U.S. visa restrictions. Pope: 'A hallmark of many Italian immigrants to US was their Catholic faith', Vatican News: Pope Leo XIV welcomed the National Italian American Foundation on its 50th anniversary, highlighting the pivotal role of Catholic faith in supporting Italian immigrants to the U.S. "A hallmark of many who immigrated to the United States from Italy was their Catholic faith...which sustained them in difficult moments, even as they arrived with a sense of hope for a prosperous future in their new country."  That the world might grow in compassion, The Pope Video: During the month of June, traditionally dedicated to devotion to the Heart of Jesus, the Pope invites us to pray “that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.” Welcomer of the week: Bishop Menjivar-Ayala shares his journey from El Salvador to the US: "The most challenging thing of being undocumented [was] not being able to travel and see my parents." Bishop Menjivar-Ayala describes his calling to become a priest: "the process was long but I had great support from the Diocese of Washington."   Stay Connected As you can see, we're reformatting this newsletter. What did you like? What is missing? Please share your thoughts by replying to this message! Visit the JFI website, follow us on X and Instagram, or email us!   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice