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JFI Week in Review - September 28 - October 2, 2020
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Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión
El presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB insta a los legisladores a reconocer las contribuciones de los trabajadores esenciales inmigrantes y refugiados
El 23 de septiembre, el obispo Mario Dorsonvillle, presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, presentó su testimonio ante el Subcomité de Inmigración y Ciudadanía del Comité Judicial de la Cámara de Representantes para una audiencia titulada "Inmigrantes como trabajadores esenciales durante COVID-19".
En su testimonio escrito, el obispo Dorsonville declaró: "Los inmigrantes y refugiados son una bendición para nuestro país... Las contribuciones de los trabajadores esenciales se han vuelto sin duda más importantes durante el COVID-19. Si bien muchos trabajadores esenciales son ciudadanos estadounidenses, muchos también son inmigrantes y refugiados. Instamos al Congreso a incluir a las familias inmigrantes y refugiadas en cualquier futuro alivio del COVID-19, así como a ser elegibles para los esfuerzos de socorro pasados. Además, continuamos abogando ante el Congreso por un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los trabajadores indocumentados que han estado viviendo, trabajando y contribuyendo a nuestro país."
¿Quiere aprender más sobre las contribuciones esenciales de trabajo de los inmigrantes y refugiados? Lea nuestro recurso en inglés y en español.
El presidente Trump anuncia su intención de permitir sólo 15,000 refugiados a los Estados Unidos
El Al final de cada año fiscal (30 de septiembre), el Presidente está obligado a determinar el número de refugiados que pueden ser admitidos en los Estados Unidos, proceso conocido como la "determinación presidencial". El número del año fiscal 2020 se fijó en 18,000 refugiados, el número más bajo de todos los tiempos en la historia del reasentamiento. A medianoche del 30 de septiembre, la administración Trump emitió un aviso al Congreso para 15,000 refugiados como la determinación presidencial para el año fiscal 2021.
En respuesta a este acontecimiento, el arzobispo Gómez y el obispo Dorsonville publicaron una declaración señalando:
"Si bien afortunadamente se permitirá a los refugiados buscar refugio aquí en los Estados Unidos en 2021, el bajo número de admisiones, dada la necesidad mundial y la capacidad y la riqueza de los Estados Unidos, es desgarrador. Instamos al Congreso a examinar seriamente la propuesta de la Administración y alentamos firmemente al Presidente a aumentar significativamente la eventual determinación presidencial. Acoger a los refugiados es un acto de amor y esperanza. Al ayudar a reasentar a los más vulnerables, estamos viviendo nuestra fe cristiana como Jesús nos ha desafiado a hacer."
Favor de ver nuestro recurso sobre la determinación presidencial para el año fiscal 2021.
Llegadas de refugiados: Análisis del año fiscal 2020
El total de llegadas de refugiados para el año 2020 fue 11,814. Esto es sólo el 60% de la meta de refugiados para el año 2020 de 18,000. Los cinco principales estados de destino de los Estados Unidos para los refugiados fueron California (1,194), Washington (1,110), Texas (896), Nueva York (617) y Michigan (493). Los cinco países de origen para los refugiados fueron la República Democrática del Congo (2,868), Birmania (2,115), Ucrania (1,927), Afganistán (604), e Irak (537). Al 25 de septiembre, los refugiados que llegaron por categoría de admisión eran: refugiados que huían de la persecución religiosa 4,617, refugiados que eran iraquíes de P-2 afiliados a la Misión de los Estados Unidos 123, refugiados de El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras 575, y otros refugiados 5,577. El total de llegadas de Visa Especial de Inmigrante (SIV por sus siglas en inglés) al 28 de septiembre de 2020 eran 9,630, incluyendo 9,349 afganos, 177 iraquíes y 104 vietnamitas. Esto representa el 74% del objetivo de 13,000 fijado por la Administración para el año fiscal 2020. Los cinco principales estados de Estados Unidos para las llegadas afganos de SIV han sido California, Texas, Virginia, Maryland y Washington. Los principales estados de Estados Unidos para las llegadas iraquíes de SIV han sido Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio y Michigan.
El COVID-19 contribuyó en gran medida al déficit de llegadas. Debido al COVID-19, el ACNUR y la OIM detuvieron el programa mundial de reasentamiento de refugiados del 17 de marzo al 18 de junio de 2020. El Departamento de Estado detuvo el reasentamiento de refugiados de Estados Unidos del 19 de marzo al 29 de julio de 2020. Sólo un pequeño número de casos de emergencia fueron autorizados a viajar a los Estados Unidos durante el cierre. Actualmente existe una moratoria de viajes de fin de año desde el 1 de octubre hasta el 26 de octubre de 2020.
Serie de seminarios web del 15 aniversario de JFI
Una grabación del primer seminario web, Una breve historia de la protección de los desplazados internos: El Salvador como un caso práctico, de la serie de seminarios web del 15 aniversario de JFI ya está disponible en nuestra página de seminario web. Especiales agradecimientos a los presentadores del seminario web y a los que participaron.
Favor de unirnos para nuestro segundo seminario web, Diferentes maneras en que puede apoyar a solicitantes de asilo y otros migrantes en su comunidad durante COVID-19, el 7 de octubre de 2020 a las 3PM ET para participar en el seminario web en español.
Los presentantes incluyen:
Sarah Hoff, Moderadora, USCCB/MRS
Obispo Bruce Lewandowski, Arquidiócesis de Baltimore
Lisa Lungren, USCCB/MRS
Elena Segura, Arquidiócesis de Chicago
Isaac Cuevas, Arquidiócesis de Los Angeles
Diana Otero, Caridades Católicas de San Francisco.
¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir? Favor de enviarlos a Sarah Hoff y nosotros los promovemos.
President Trump Announces Intention to Only Allow 15,000 Refugees to the United States
By the end of every fiscal year (September 30th), the President is required to determine the number of refugees allowed to be admitted to the U.S., a process known as the "Presidential Determination". The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 number was set at 18,000 refugees, the all-time-lowest number in the history of resettlement. At midnight on September 30th, the Trump Administration issued a notice to Congress for 15,000 refugees as the PD for FY 2021.
In response to this development, Archbishop Gomez and Bishop Dorsonville issued a statement noting: "While refugees will thankfully be allowed to seek refuge here in the United States in 2021, the low number of admissions, given the global need and the capacity and wealth of the United States, is heartbreaking. We exhort Congress to seriously examine the Administration's proposal and strongly encourage the President to increase the eventual presidential determination significantly.
"Welcoming refugees is an act of love and hope. By helping to resettle the most vulnerable, we are living out our Christian faith as Jesus has challenged us to do."
JFI has launched an action alert urging the President to announce a higher number for the Presidential Determination. Take action and send the JFI alert today. Thank you!
Please see our backgrounder on the Presidential Determination FY2021.
USCCB Migration Chairman Urges Lawmakers to Recognize Contributions of Immigrant and Refugee Essential Workers
On September 23, Bishop Mario Dorsonvillle, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, submitted testimony to the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship for a hearing titled "Immigrants as Essential Workers During COVID-19."
In his written testimony, Bishop Dorsonville stated: "Immigrants and refugees are a blessing to our country...The contributions of essential workers have become undoubtedly more important during COVID-19. While many essential workers are U.S. citizens, many are also immigrants and refugees. We urge Congress to include immigrant and refugee families in any future COVID-19 relief as well as be made eligible for past relief efforts. Additionally, we continue to advocate Congress for a path to citizenship for undocumented workers who have been living, working, and contributing to our country."
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Want to learn more about the essential work contributions of immigrants and refugees? See our Backgrounder in English and Spanish.
USCCB/MRS Submits Comments on a Proposed Rule Change that Could Reduce Privacy Protections for Unaccompanied Children
On September 22nd, USCCB/MRS submitted a comment to the Office of Management and Budget on the proposed rule change for information collection activities for unaccompanied children in HHS/ORR custody. Our comment expressed concerns about how the collected information will be used and shared.
JFI 15-Year Anniversary Updates
USCCB President and Migration Chair Celebrate 15 Years of Justice for Immigrants Initiative
USCCB President Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, and USCCB Migration Committee Chairman Bishop Dorsonville issued a statement on the occasion of the 15 year anniversary of the establishment of the JFI campaign. They wrote in their statement, "We celebrate 15 years of the Justice for Immigrants initiative and the amazing accomplishments of Catholic organizations to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate immigrants and refugees coming to and living in the United States. While we are pleased to highlight the work that has been done by the Church and Justice for Immigrants to advance the humane treatment and legalization for immigrants, we note that the work is far from done.
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The Church redoubles its commitment to the Justice for Immigrants initiative and to recognizing the human dignity and rights of immigrants and refugees and the promotion of legalization and legislative reform. Our efforts are rooted in the Gospel and the need to recognize the face of Jesus in every person."
15 Year Anniversary Webinar Series
A recording of the first webinar, A Brief History of the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons: El Salvador as a Case Study, of the JFI webinar series for the 15th anniversary is now available on our webinar page. Special thanks to the webinar presenters and those who participated.
Please join us for our second webinar, Different Ways You Can Support Migrants in Your Community During COVID-19, on October 7, 2020 at 2 PM ET.
Speakers will include:
Sarah Hoff, Moderator, USCCB/MRS
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, Archdiocese of Baltimore
Lisa Lungren, USCCB/MRS
Elena Segura, Archdiocese of Chicago
Isaac Cuevas, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Diana Otero, Catholic Charities of San Francisco
The same webinar in Spanish will be presented immediately afterwards at 3 PM ET on October 7th.
Appropriations and Government Funding Updates
On September 30th, the Senate passed a short-term funding bill (a "continuing resolution" or "CR") to avoid a government shutdown, preventing a scenario that would strike just weeks before the elections. Senators cleared the measure - which would extend about $1.4 trillion in government funding until December 11, 2020 - in a bipartisan 84-10 vote. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The CR, which is expected to be signed by President Trump includes important migration provisions (in addition to continuation of existing migration and immigration enforcement funding) including:
-- Language allowing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to utilize premium processing increases to deal with fund shortfalls
-- Exceptions to premium processing fee hikes for religious workers
-- Extension of the religious worker visa.
On COVID-19 funding, the House passed a revised HEROES Act bill. The $2.2 trillion dollar bill included the same elements but a shorter time frame than the earlier bill that would authorize over $3 trillion in COVID-19 related spending (see the JFI backgrounder on original HEROES Act). The revised HEROES Act also included funding for small business support, funding for airline workers, and some funding for education. Committee Chair Nina Lowey (D-NY) posted on the House Appropriations website the text here, a one-pager on the legislation here, and a section-by-section summary here. Additional information on the state and local relief provisions is here.
CLINIC Action Alert: Speak Out Against the Administration's Proposal to Drastically Expand Immigrant Surveillance!
In The Trump administration has proposed a rule to dramatically expand its surveillance over immigrants as well as U.S. citizens sponsoring immigration cases. The proposal includes collecting DNA, voice prints, iris and face scans as well other characteristics for virtually all immigration and citizenship applicants to be stored in government databases.
The Department of Homeland Security has given a 30-day period for the public to submit comments on the massive, 328-page rule.
Submit your public comment today via CLINIC's Click to Comment page. This click-to-comment campaign will close at 4 PM ET on October 13, 2020.
Check back in with us soon to see our larger Catholic Institutional Organizational comment!
From Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF): Resources to Help Eligible People Claim Stimulus Payments
Eligible individuals have until October 15, 2020 to file for their Economic Impact Payment ("stimulus payments"). Although the CARES Act excluded millions of immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members from stimulus payments, there are still many immigrant families who are eligible for the payments but have not claimed them. Below is a list of resources to help you spread the word and make sure that families don't miss the upcoming deadline on October 15th.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- 75 Year Anniversary of Pax Christi International - October 2 at 3 PM ET - Join Pax Christi USA in this special virtual event celebrating the 75th anniversary of Pax Christi International. Register now and see you at the celebration!
- Fontbonne University's Seeds of Justice Presentation: Voting: What's a Catholic to do? - October 6, 2020 at 6:30 PM CT - Fr. Fred Kammer, SJ, will reflect on connections between Catholic social thought, politics, and the upcoming election. Listen to a panel of Catholic leaders from NETWORK, National Catholic Reporter and the St. Louis Police Department This is a free Zoom event, but registration is required.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Webinar: USCIS Processing of Concurrently Pending Forms N-400 and Forms I-751 - October 7, 2020 at 3 PM ET - Listen to understand the circumstances under which Forms N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) may be pending concurrently and clarify USCIS' current processes when handling and adjudicating these pending forms. USCIS subject matter experts will join the Ombudsman's staff to relay information and answer questions where appropriate. RSVP is required to join.
- POWER Interfaith (Philadelphia) Online Presentation: Finding Grounding from the Inside Out: Feeling Toward Resilience - October 7, 2020 at 5 PM ET - In times as challenging as these, how can our feelings and bodies lead us to resilience? How can we take care of our emotions and bodies and take collective action? We will practice listening to our feelings, and accessing our faith to release negativity and move forward. Register now.
- Catholic Charities USA Webinar: Working with Those Impacted by Incarceration - October 13, 2020 at 3PM ET - This webinar will highlight two programs supporting families impacted by incarceration: 1) A prison ministry model that works across rural Iowa utilizing volunteers who serve as mentors via Circle of Support group. 2) Catholic Charities New Orleans's public/private partnership with the Plaquemines Parish Jail allowing for pre-release work that supports housing and employment. Register on the event site.
- Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (Virtual Event) - October 19-25, 2020 - Don't miss this annual event. Speakers this year will include Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., Sr. Simone Campbell, S.S.S., Maurício López, Fr. James Martin, S.J., Fr. Bryan Massingale, Olga Segura, and Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso. Register today.
- From the Jordan Ministry Team (Phoenix, AZ): The Monica Group: Support for the Mothers of Non-Practicing Catholics - October 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2020 - This 4-part series invites Catholic mothers and grandmothers whose children have given up the practice of the Catholic faith to come together to reflect on the dynamics of faith and family. Facilitator Peggy Guerrero, MPS, MEd, will use stories from Sacred Scripture and Catholic tradition to help women of faith to find peace and hope in their family's stories. Contact the Jordan Ministry Team, (520) 623-2563, to attend.
In Solidarity,
Tony Cube
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3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017
Phone: (202) 541-3165 Fax: (202) 722-8711
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