JFI Week in Review - September 14-18, 2020

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Respuesta católica institucional a la decisión judicial que permite el fin del Estado Temporario de Protección (TPS) para más de 200,000 personas

Después El 15 de septiembre del 2020, el arzobispo José Gómez de Los Ángeles, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Católica de los Estados Unidos (USCCB), el obispo Mario Dorsonville de Washington, presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB y Sean Callahan, presidente y director ejecutivo de Catholic Relief Services, emitieron un comunicado de prensa en respuesta a la decisión del Tribunal del Noveno Circuito en Ramos v. Wolf que anula una orden judicial preliminar, o pausa, al intento de la Administración Trump de terminar el TPS para más de 200,000 individuos viviendo legalmente en los Estados Unidos. La decisión afecta a titulares de El Salvador, Haití, Nicaragua y Sudan.

En el comunicado, continuaron con el llamado al Senado para que adopten el proyecto de ley HR 6, The American Dream and Promise Act, que brinda a los Dreamers y titulares del TPS un camino hacia la ciudadanía. Además, los líderes católicos reiteraron su solidaridad con los titulares de TPS y sus familias: "Nuestra nación no debe dar la espalda a los beneficiarios de TPS y sus familias; ellos también son hijos de Dios. Nos solidarizamos con beneficiarios de TPS, quienes están aquí y han estado viviendo y trabajando en los Estados Unidos legalmente, y continuaremos haciéndolo con ellos en sus países de origen.

Inmigración y Su Parroquia de septiembre (cortesia de Pastoral Migratoria Nacional)

El día 15 de cada mes, Pastoral Migratoria Nacional envía por correo electrónico el boletín llamado Inmigración y su Parroquia (IySP), el cual está dirigido a sacerdotes y agentes pastorales. Este boletín está dividido en cuatro secciones: Noticias, Recursos para Pastoral Migratoria, Recursos para la Comunidad, y El Video del Papa.

Nuestra edición de septiembre de 2020 incluye recursos e información sobre el "cuidado de la casa común" y oportunidades virtuales de aprendizaje y capacitación. Si desea recibir Inmigración y Su Parroquia por favor regístrese utilizando este enlace.

Asamblea Virtual: Salud Mental en Tiempos de COVID-19: Como respuesta a la necesidad de recursos sobre salud mental que la pandemia ha traído a nuestras comunidades, Pastoral Migratoria de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago ha organizado una asamblea virtual con el psicólogo Victor Álvarez quien proveerá recursos y herramientas para personas que están pasando por ansiedad, tristeza, dolor, pérdida y otros estragos causados por la pandemia de COVID-19. Esta asamblea virtual será el día 19 de septiembre de 1:00PM a 2:30PM CST

El evento es gratuito y todos están invitados a participar usando este enlace:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82231351610

Nueva Página en el Sitio Web de JFI: Cartas y Solicitudes Administrativas

En un esfuerzo por proporcionar más información sobre nuestras actividades de defensa en el Congreso y la Administración, creamos una nueva pá¡gina de cartas y solicitudes administrativas en el sitio web de JFI. En la página puede leer las solicitudes de USCCB/MRS y las cartas de apoyo enviadas al Congreso y a la Casa Blanca.

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

Institutional Catholic Response to Court Decision Permitting An End to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Over 200,000 People

On September 15, 2020, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, President of the USCCB, Bishop Mario Dorsonville of Washington, USCCB Migration Committee Chairman, and Sean Callahan President and CEO Catholic Relief Services issued a statement responding to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Ramos v. Wolf vacating an existing preliminary injunction or pause of the Trump Administration's attempt to terminate TPS for over 200,000 individuals living legally in the United States. The decision affects TPS holders from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan.

In the statement, they continued the call for Senate to take up HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides Dreamers and TPS holders with a path to citizenship. Additionally, the Catholic leaders reiterated their solidarity with TPS holders and their families: "Our nation must not turn its back on TPS recipients and their families; they too are children of God. We stand in solidarity with TPS recipients, who are here and have been living and working in the United States legally, and we will continue to do so with them in their countries of origin."

USCCB Letter of Support for H.R. 8046 Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act

On September 14th, Bishop Dorsonville sent a letter of support to the House asking for co-sponsorship of HR 8046, the Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act, which would direct the Secretary of Labor, in collaboration with other federal and nongovernmental agencies, to conduct a study of the factors that affect the ability of immigrants and refugees who have professional credentials that were obtained outside the United States to work in those professions while living in the U.S.

JFI 15-Year Anniversary Webinar Series: Update

JFI is celebrating 15 years! Please join us in celebrating 15 years of the Justice for Immigrants campaign. Our webinar series for the 15th anniversary of the Justice for Immigrants Campaign will take place every Wednesday at 2 PM Eastern starting on Sept. 30th -except on Nov. 4th- and ending on Nov. 12th (instead of Veterans' Day on Nov. 11th). A registration page is now available for the webinars. All webinars will be recorded and available on the Justice for Immigrants webinar page. For more information about each webinar in the series, please see our Webinar Series flyer.

Appropriations Update

Congress and the White House have agreed to a continuing resolution ("CR") for continued funding at the Fiscal Year 2020 levels for the next few months. The date that the CR has not yet been released at the time of publication but is expected to end in mid-December or perhaps into early 2021. It is expected that this measure will be put on the Senate and House floor for a vote the week of September 21st. Please stay tuned for future updates as we learn more.

New Page on the JFI Website: Letters and Administrative Requests

In an effort to provide more information about our advocacy activities in Congress and with the Administration, we created a new Letters and Administrative Requests page on the JFI website. On the page you can read USCCB/MRS requests and support letters sent to Congress and the White House. Check it out!

Franciscan Action Network Election Videos: 2020: A Franciscan Moment

JFI core member organization, Franciscan Action Network (FAN), created a series of videos entitled 2020: A Franciscan Moment to help viewers reflect on our shared values in the lead up to the general election. This week, FAN has released
Compassion, a personal reflection on the plight of refugees and immigrants who knock on America's door. In the first months of his papacy, following the tragic loss of life at Lampedusa, Pope Francis called for the world to show compassion to refugees and immigrants. Please consider viewing the video and using #FranciscanMoment on social media.

2020 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Virtual Conference: Building Communities of Hope and Belonging - October 1-2, 2020

The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) and the University of Notre Dame will hold the 2020 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative Conference virtually on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, 2020. This annual event is part of CMS's Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative (CIII) which seeks to understand, expand and strengthen the work of Catholic institutions with immigrant communities. The conference will:

Present perspectives on the major challenges facing immigrants, refugees, their families and faith communities, at a time of multiple crises;
Explore promising and successful programs and ministries with immigrants in parishes, legal services programs, elementary schools, universities, the workplace, charities, community organizing entities, hospitals, and other institutions;
Examine how changing national and international immigration and refugee policies are affecting Catholic institutions and those they serve; and,
Explore how Catholic institutions can strengthen their work in promoting the integration, protection, and empowerment of persons with strong roots in sending and receiving communities.

The conference is free but advanced registration is requested.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Berkley Center at Georgetown University Webinar: After the Last Border: A Conversation with Jessica Goudeau - September 22, 2020 at 10 AM ET - Jessica Goudeau will share the story of two refugees with unique stories and experiences within the larger history of modern refugee resettlement in the U.S. and discuss how attitudes towards immigrants and refugees have been central to America's identity for centuries, from World War II to current closed-door policies. RSVP for the webinar.
Webinar: Cross-border Human Mobility and Human Rights in the context of Climate Change - September 24 at 3 PM CET/Geneva - Caritas France, Act Alliance, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), Caritas Internationalis and the Platform on Disaster Displacement are organising a webinar on cross-border human mobility and human rights in the context of Climate Change. Register today and join the discussion with governments and civil society!
Prayer Vigil for World Day of Migrants and Refugees in Omaha, Nebraska - September 27 at 3 PM CT - In the midst of our pandemic, struggles with civil unrest, protests, and racism, other major issues, like immigration, tend to drop from our view. The Sisters of Mercy, Notre Dame Sisters, and Servants of Mary invite people of all backgrounds to attend this vigil at the College of Saint Mary. See the event page for more information.
Diocese of Norwich Event: World Day of Migrants and Refugees - September 27, 2020 at 3 PM ET - Join us for a virtual bilingual prayer service to mark this day with prayer for our brothers and sisters. To learn more, call the Office of Hispanic Ministry, 860-456-3349.
Online Presentation from the Jordan Ministry Team: The Eucharist: Source of Discipleship, Healing, and Transformation - September 28, 2020 at 5:30 PM PT - Join an online presentation to explore the ways that our experience of Jesus in the Eucharist can be a pathway to spiritual transformation, healing and a renewed call to discipleship. Registration is required.
Ignatian Solidarity Network's (ISN) Solidarity on Tap: Bill Quigley, Esq., Human Rights Lawyer - September 30, 2020 at 9 PM ET - ISN invites you to its virtual Solidarity on Tap series. Enjoy fellowship and hear powerful reflections from network members engaged in work for justice-from a screen near you! Email Erin Brown for more information.
Share the Journey 2020: A Concert for Compassion (2-night virtual event) - October 16-17 at 7 -10 PM ET - Join a concert to benefit Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, the Kino Border Initiative, and League of United Latin American Citizens. Visit www.shareinthehope.com for more information and to donate.
Funding Opportunity: Community Sponsorship Catalyst Fund - October 30, 2020 Submission Deadline - This initiative is to help refugees and the communities that welcome and support them. The successful applicant may receive a grant of up to $50,000 per year, for up to two years, to support the creation or enhancement of a community sponsorship program. Local agencies and other local community-based organizations supporting the resettlement and integration of forcibly displaced populations are encouraged to apply. The projects are expected to begin in January 2021.