Email from USCCB "Our country and our elected officials must do better" Justice for Immigrants Biweekly Review: October 24-November 6  "Catholic teaching recognizes that countries have the right to maintain their borders and regulate immigration... But this right is not absolute. It must be exercised consistently with the sanctity of human life and with respect for the dignity of every person, including undocumented people." —Bishop Brendan Cahill, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration  Updates and Resources ECUMENICAL STATEMENT – Catholic and Evangelical Leaders Unite in Call for Compassionate Immigration Reform Bishop Brendan Cahill and Rev. Walter Kim issued a historic joint Catholic-Evangelical statement calling for compassionate, wise immigration reform. Through the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration, the leaders urge policies that protect families, respect human dignity, and avoid indiscriminate enforcement, offering a united Christian witness rooted in faith, fraternity, and hope. Read the full statement in English and Spanish. Read the press release in English and Spanish. Visit the website on the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration. REGISTER – Catholic Social Ministry Gathering For nearly 50 years, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) has brought together hundreds of participants whose faith inspires them to address pressing current domestic and global challenges affecting our most vulnerable brothers and sisters at home and around the world. CSMG will take place January 31 - February 2, 2027 in Washington, D.C. Register here. ICYMI – America must remain a place of refuge for those fleeing persecution Bishop Brendan Cahill: "For generations, the United States has offered refuge to people forced from their homes by persecution. That tradition is rooted in our national history all the way back to the Founding, but for Catholics it also reflects something deeper: the conviction that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses an inviolable dignity. Today, that tradition is being tested by the sharp decline in refugee admissions under the current administration." Read the full op-ed. ICYMI - Access to Religious and Pastoral Services for People in Immigration Detention The USCCB has published a comprehensive new resource that discusses the current governmental policies intended to protect access to religious and pastoral services for immigration detainees, the realities observed, the Catholic Church’s response, and how to report challenges in this area, as well as how one might get involved in Catholic detention ministry. View the resource. ICYMI – USCCB Addresses Proposed Changes to Decennial Census In September, the U.S. Census Bureau proposed multiple changes regarding who is counted and what information is requested as part of the census taken every ten years pursuant to the U.S. Constitution. Part of these changes would be to exclude all noncitizens from the census unless they have lawful permanent resident status (a green card). The USCCB has submitted a comment urging the Census Bureau to rescind these proposed changes in their entirety, finding that they are contrary to the Constitution, unsupported by statute and history, and likely to run afoul of the Administrative Procedure Act. View the comment.  ICYMI – President Trump Signs into Law USCCB-Endorsed Anti-Trafficking Measure On October 20, the President signed into law the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (H.R. 4307), which requires the U.S. Department of Labor to provide training and education to its employees on how to effectively assist law enforcement in detecting human trafficking. This bipartisan bill was supported by the USCCB throughout the legislative process. ICYMI – Ukraine TPS Update In light of the passage of what was expected to be the last day of Ukraine’s temporary protected status (TPS) designation, the USCCB has released an update discussing the current situation and the Conference’s response. View the update on Ukraine TPS. View all the recent TPS-related resources on the USCCB’s website. JFI supporters are also encouraged to consider the related opportunities for engaging with their members of Congress through the USCCB’s Action Center. Missionaries of Hope The fifth and sixth videos in a ten-part series on Catholic social teaching and migration, featuring Bishop Brendan Cahill, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration. You may view all videos here. Borders, Sovereignty, and the Common Good:: "Catholic teaching recognizes that countries have the right to maintain their borders and regulate immigration... But this right is not absolute. It must be exercised consistently with the sanctity of human life and with respect for the dignity of every person, including undocumented people." Refugees and Asylum Seekers: "The Church teaches clearly that refugees and asylum seekers should be protected. This means access to fair processes, due consideration of their claims, and humane treatment while their cases are evaluated." Bishop Brennan's Pastoral Letter Addressing Recent Immigration Enforcement in the Central Valley "Brothers and sisters, we will advocate for real change and real reform. Our country and our elected officials must do better. We need tangible results that reflect meaningful and just immigration reform. Until such reform is achieved, the dignity of our immigrant brothers and sisters must remain in the forefront of whatever shape our efforts might take. In the midst of those efforts, to be sure, we are navigating in a chaotic and emotionally charged time. I encourage the faithful to pray for one another and to act out of a spirit of communion in all things, bridging divisions and treating one another peacefully and with compassion." Pope Leo sends special message of support to interfaith immigration policy summit, OSV News “Pope Leo thanked CLINIC for its work, 'together with that of the many people, families, civic bodies and church communities who strive to uphold the dignity of migrants and refugees. Too often, these most vulnerable members of society are caught in situations which strip them of their human rights — an injustice that cries out to heaven,” he said. 'It is my hope, therefore, that this summit will encourage the participants to stir the hearts and minds of their fellow citizens to overcome that indifference and detachment which reduces the human person to a statistic.'" Archbishop Weisenburger joins prayer vigil amid spike in ICE activity in Detroit, Detroit Catholic "“I think sometimes people want to reduce religion to just sweetness and prayer,” Archbishop Weisenburger said. “And as much as being kind and prayer are critical, to reduce it to that and carve out and excise Jesus' message on justice and dignity of humanity and truth — that's not Christianity. We really must do both.'” Archdiocese of Chicago to Host 14th Annual Keep Hope Alive Fundraiser Benefiting its Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria “'None of us is meant to journey alone for we are companions along the way,' said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. 'Efforts of accompaniment send a message to families, who feel isolated or forgotten: We see you. We value your dignity. We will walk with you. That is what Christ did and that is what the Church is called to do today.'" What a Democratic Congress can (and can’t) do on immigration, America Magazine "While Mr. Spicer does not expect an immediate change in immigration policies or practices to come from the midterms, he remains hopeful that the bishops can help bridge divides. 'That’s what I would say the bishops are hopeful for and what the bishops have long strived to do,' he said, 'to create opportunities for that meaningful conversation and dialogue and to build bridges in that way.'” California Catholic bishop argues against ‘indiscriminate nature’ of ICE raids, LA Times “Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph V. Brennan, leader of the 1.2-million diocese of Fresno, attempted to add a spiritual element to the discussion earlier this month. Catholics have used Scripture to argue for and against deportations and strict immigration enforcement. Brennan issued a letter offering guidance from a Catholic perspective. He pushed back against the 'indiscriminate nature' of raids and added that the Catholic Church 'will not be silent' and 'will accompany our vulnerable neighbors in concrete, sustained ways.'" Interfaith migration policy summit seeks common ground on welcoming the stranger, OSV News “An Oct. 29-30 interfaith immigration policy summit hosted by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, also known as CLINIC, brought together faith leaders, legal practitioners, advocates and scholars from Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faith traditions to find areas of commonality in their work serving immigrant communities." Community responds to establishment of St. Matthew Ayariga Parish, North Texas Catholic Bishop Olson wrote: "St. Matthew Ayariga Parish will also mark an important chapter in the growing presence and contribution of Ghanaian Catholics within the Diocese of Fort Worth and within the Catholic Church in the United States. The Catholic faith is truly universal. The establishment of this parish recognizes the gifts of faith, family, culture, devotion, and service that Ghanaian Catholics bring to the life of our local Church and wider community while establishing a parish whose doors and mission are open to all of God’s people." ONGOING INITIATIVE – You Are Not Alone  Please reflect on what kinds of support your diocese can provide affected communities and reach out with questions to [email protected]. Check out our flier for the initiative: English; Spanish. Please share widely and help others learn about it. We are also collecting information on ministry accessibility in detention centers and on events and initiatives occurring in dioceses that are aimed at supporting migrants and their families. If you have relevant experience or information, please share it in this form.  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. 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