Email from USCCB "They're human stories, just like our own" Justice for Immigrants Biweekly Review: December 22, 2025-January 9, 2026 Celebrating 20 years of JFI! "It is only by working together – with God’s help – that we will have peace in our communities, state and world.”  –Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, January 7, 2026 Updates and Resources NEW STATEMENT – Statement Regarding Deadly ICE-related Shooting in Minneapolis from Archbishop Hebda, Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis “We continue to be at a time in this country when we need to lower the temperature of rhetoric, stop fear-filled speculation and start seeing all people as created in the image and likeness of God. That is as true for our immigrant sisters and brothers as it is for our elected officials and those who are responsible for enforcing our laws. I echo today the repeated call of the U.S. Catholic bishops that we come together as a nation and pass meaningful immigration reform that does justice to all parties. The longer we refuse to grapple with this issue in the political arena, the more divisive and violent it becomes.” Read the full statement here. UPCOMING WEBINAR – Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events In partnership with the USCCB, the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and the SOAP Project, we invite you to a 90-minute webinar dedicated to exploring the intersection of human trafficking and major sporting events on January 22 at 6:30PM ET. January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time when we come together to raise awareness about the grave injustice and sin of human trafficking. This year, our focus is on major sporting events, which unfortunately can create environments where trafficking risks increase. With the Super Bowl scheduled for Sunday, February 8th in San Jose, California, this discussion is both timely and urgent. Opening Prayer and Reflection led by His Excellency Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose, California, who will guide us in spiritual grounding and offer a reflection on the Church’s role in combating human trafficking. Register here. UPCOMING WEBINAR – Current immigration landscape in the US Save the Date: CRS, CCUSA, CLINIC, and the USCCB will co-host a webinar on migration policy updates on February 10th from 2:00-3:30pm ET. The registration link will be in the next newsletter. ADVOCACY – USCCB, CCUSA, and CHA Respond to Proposed Public Charge Changes On December 19, 2025, the USCCB, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) jointly submitted comments responding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed regulatory changes regarding the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Within U.S. immigration law, the public charge ground of inadmissibility generally restricts people from immigrating to the United States if they are expected to become reliant on government programs to support their basic needs (i.e., a public charge). The comments stated: “We believe the Proposed Rule conflicts with the dignity of the person and the common good that society is called to uphold... For these reasons, our organizations oppose the Proposed Rule and respectfully urge that the rescission of the 2022 Final Rule and implementation of this NPRM be abandoned by the Department.” ICYMI – Notable Changes in the Reconciliation Bill for Catholic Organizations Serving Noncitizens This resource includes last week's update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services on refugees and asylees' SNAP eligibility as they apply for Green Cards. ICYMI – The Trump Administration’s Travel Ban and Restrictions for Nationals of Certain Countries In light of President Trump’s proclamation earlier this week updating and expanding the travel ban first put in place by the Administration in June, the USCCB’s explainer on the travel ban has been updated. ICYMI – Asylum Update (Now Available in Spanish) In the wake of the shooting three weeks ago, the Trump Administration has announced several policy actions with far-reaching impacts on noncitizens, especially those seeking asylum in the United States. The USCCB has released an explainer on those changes in English and in Spanish. ONGOING INITIATIVE – You Are Not Alone Please reflect on what kinds of support your diocese can provide affected communities and be sure to let us know what you are doing at [email protected] or in this form. Check out our new flier for the initiative: English; Spanish. Please share widely and help others learn about it. Missionaries of Hope In honor of the 2025 theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, "Migrants, Missionaries of Hope," here are recent hopeful articles, homilies, and videos. Kentucky Bishops Issue Statement Concerning Immigration, Archdiocese of Louisville: "We stand with all of our immigrant brothers and sisters who have been victimized by unjust government action or by harmful rhetoric and vilification. We call on all of our political leaders to work to reform our broken immigration system in a way that allows for the peaceful and orderly migration of people who are searching for peace, stability, religious freedom, and economic opportunity, as well as one that respects family unification and a realistic possibility of potentially obtaining citizenship." Catholic bishop says Trump's immigration policies are a 'great source of sadness', NPR News: "I've had the opportunity to know so many [immigrants] and know their stories, know their suffering. I know that what they're doing is exactly what any of us would've done to protect my family, to provide for their needs and protect them from danger. They're human stories just like our own, so I can certainly identify." Florida Bishops’ appeal to President Trump and Governor DeSantis to pause immigration enforcement, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops: "We, the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Florida, appeal to President Trump and to Governor DeSantis to pause immigration enforcement activities during the Christmas holidays... While enforcement will always be part of any immigration policy, such enforcement can be carried out in a way that recognizes due process as well as the humanity and dignity of all affected including those carrying out those policies. A pause during this holy season can lower the temperature within our partisan divisions, ease the fear and anxiety present in many of our immigrant and even non-immigrant families and allow all of us to celebrate with greater joy the advent of the Prince of Peace." The dignity of migrants must be respected, Archdiocese of Miami: “The Holy Father has made some strong statements in favor of the immigrants in this country, and he is on the same page with the U.S. bishops,” Archbishop Wenski said, noting that the bishops “historically have been very much in favor of just treatment and just solution to the problems that immigrants face today in the United States.” Immigrants seek divine protection in ICE raids era, Axios: "Immigrants are turning to traditional Catholic and unofficial folk saints for protection and courage in a political climate of mass deportations where they often feel hopeless... The saints' stories — of exile, danger, persecution and perseverance — mirror the lived experiences of migrant families facing raids, family separations and deportation orders." Nuns, sisters bring ‘moral authority … in spades’ to anti-ICE actions, Pittsburgh's Public Source: "The Sisters of St. Joseph, Pax Christi and Casa San Jose have been hosting prayer vigils outside Pittsburgh’s ICE facility every Friday morning since August. They invited religious leaders from different faiths across the city, and plan to continue their weekly demonstrations for as long as they can." Pope Leo's Homily on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: "To heal our blindness, the Lord chooses to reveal himself in each human being, who reflect his true image, according to a plan of love begun at the creation of the world. As long as the night of error obscures this providential truth, then 'there is no room for others either, for children, for the poor, for the stranger.' These words of Pope Benedict XVI remain a timely reminder that on earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person." San Diego’s new Pope Francis Center will serve immigrants impacted by Trump deportation campaign, KPBS: "The Pope Francis Center will host community workshops, provide legal consultations and connect families to mental health services. Francis, who died in April, was the first Jesuit pope and a champion for immigrant rights." Learn more about this former convent-turned immigration center below: Welcomer of the week Cardinal Cupich reflects on Catholic social teaching and migration: "Anytime we confront a particular issue that involves human dignity, [Catholic social teaching] is the source we go to... We give priority to the promotion of human dignity whatever measure is taken. I think that is something that's been missing in the immigration policy and procedure that we've had in the country."   Share & Stay Connected Visit the JFI website, follow us on X and Instagram, or email us! For more frequent news, sign up for CLINIC's daily updates.   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice