JFI Week in Review - October 26th - 30th, 2020

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Inmigración y Su Parroquia de octubre (cortesía 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 octubre de 2020 incluye una serie de recursos, eventos e información con el fin de ayudarles a formar su conciencia para poder participar en estas elecciones. Si desea recibir Inmigración y Su Parroquia por favor regístrese utilizando este enlace.

Actualización sobre los Niños Separados

La semana pasada, la ACLU informó que 545 niños separados de sus padres durante la implementación de la política de tolerancia cero de la Administración aún no se han reunido. Las familias separadas en 2017 como parte de un programa piloto en el sector fronterizo de El Paso no se incluyeron originalmente en los esfuerzos de reunificación ordenados por la corte. De las 1,000 familias separadas durante este tiempo, los padres de estos 545 niños aún no han sido contactados, se cree que la mayoría están de vuelta en sus países de origen en Centroamérica.

Lea más sobre lo que sabemos hasta ahora en nuestro nuevo recurso.

Lea nuestro informe y recomendaciones del trabajo que hicimos para reunir a niños separados durante el verano de 2018.

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

Presidential Determination (PD) for Refugee Resettlement

On October 28, 2020, President Trump issued the Presidential Determination authorizing admission of up to 15,000 refugees in fiscal year 2021. The State Department also posted the final Report to Congress. Refugee groups authorized for admission to the United States include: 1) 5,000 refugees fleeing religious persecution; 2) 4,000 refugees from Iraqi who were allies of the U.S. mission in Iraq; 3) 1,000 refugees from Honduras, Guatemala, or El Salvador; 4) 5,000 "other" refugees.

Archbishop Gomez, USCCB President, and Bishop Dorsonville, USCCB Migration Committee Chairman, previously made a statement regarding the 15,000 refugee admission goal, an all-time low. With over 1.445 million refugees world-wide, the FY 2021 PD is the fourth consecutive all-time low annual refugee admission goal from the Trump Administration, 82% lower than the average U.S. admission goal of 95,000.

Read the JFI Q&A which provides further details and concerns regarding this year's PD.

See also the recording from our recent JFI webinar, Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program in the Next Four Years.

Call for Investigation on "Hoteling" and Denying Protection of Unaccompanied Children

On Sunday, October 4th, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals again affirmed Judge Dolly Gee and the Flores court, barring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using hotels to detain unaccompanied children and families in violation of the Flores Settlement Agreement and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPRA).

USCCB/MRS has signed on to a letter formally requesting an investigation to DHS regarding the rights violations, legal violations, and potential abuse involved in "hoteling" children. The letter identifies 11 areas of investigation within the purview DHS's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and/or its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL).

To learn more about Unaccompanied Children and the Flores Settlement Agreement click here.

Update on Separated Children

Last week, the ACLU reported that 545 children separated from their parents during the implementation of the Administration's zero-tolerance policy have yet to be reunited. Families separated in 2017 as part of a pilot program in the El Paso border sector were not originally included in court-ordered reunification efforts. Of the 1,000 families separated during this time, the parents of these 545 children have yet to be reached--most are believed to be back in their home countries in Central America.

Read more about what we know so far in our new backgrounder.

Read our report and recommendations from the work we did to reunite separated children during Summer 2018.

USCCB Committee on Migration Supports New Deal for New Americans

Bishop Mario Dorsonville of Washington, and Chairman of USCCB's Migration Committee, wrote a letter of support to members of the House and Senate endorsing H.R. 4928 / S.3470, The New Deal for New Americans, introduced by Representative Grace Meng and Senator Edward Markey, respectively. The bill would establish a National Office of New Americans in the White House, and provide social, economic, and civic support to refugees and rebuild the capacity and infrastructure of local communities to welcome refugees. H.R. 4928 / S.3470 would also set a minimum refugee admissions goal of 110,000 and eliminate roadblocks to citizenship for eligible residents.

JFI 15-Year Anniversary Webinar Series Continues on November 12th

Please join us for our last webinar in the series in recognition of JFI's 15 Year Anniversary. The webinar, The Big Picture: What Does the Election Mean for Immigration Policy, is on November 12, 2020 at 2 PM ET.

The 2020 election promises to provide an important turning point in the field of migration. Should President Trump be reelected, many of the policies already in place would likely continue and be expanded. Should he lose, we can expect significant changes to be made to migration policy. Much also depends on the Congressional election. Join us for some insights on the results of the election and what it might mean for our shared work moving forward.

Speakers will include:

Ashley Feasley, USCCB/MRS

Theresa Cardinal Brown, Bipartisan Policy Center

Carlos Guevara, UnidosUS

Jacinta Ma, National Immigration Forum

A recording of the past webinars in the JFI webinar series are now available on our webinar page. You can register here for this upcoming JFI 15 Year Anniversary webinar.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

FREE COVID-19 Testing - November 4, 2020 at 10 AM-3 PM PT in Tacoma, WA - Pierce County is providing this mobile COVID-19 testing station at the Asia-Pacific Cultural Center. Tests are free and identification is not required. Results are available in 5-7 days. Visit the county website for more information.
Jordan Ministry Team Online Workshop: Preventing Burnout in Ministry - November 4, 2020 at 5 PM MT - This online event will explore the realities of burnout and help participants to learn coping and recovery skills for healthy life and ministry. Register online.
Webinar: Arriving Alone - Needs and Programming for Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Foster Care - November 5, 2020 at 2 PM ET - This webinar will highlight how USCCB's model provides continuity of care for youth coming into the U.S., including pursuit of legal relief, reunification with family and sponsors in the community, and long-term foster care and independent living options for youth who are granted legal status. Learn about the services youth rely on to succeed and how our network of foster care providers supports the long-term health, well-being and integration of unaccompanied migrant children by placing them in a community setting. This webinar offers 1.0 Continuing Education Credit. Register here.

Journeying Together Regional Conversation with Hispanic Young Adults - November 6, 2020 at 7 PM ET - Journeying Together is a process of dialogue and encounter focused on the Church's ministry with youth and young adults that fosters understanding and trust within and across cultural families toward a more welcoming and just community of faith. Register now for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regional event.
Catholic Mobilizing Network: A Virtual Gathering of Washington State Allies - November 12, 2020 at Noon PT - Join Catholic Mobilizing Network for a virtual gathering of allies in Washington State to discuss the death penalty, restorative justice, and racial justice. Register here.
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Anniversary Event: Walking with Refugees for 40 Years - November 12, 2020 at 6 PM ET - Join us as we recognize 40 years of service to refugees. The evening will recognize the work JRS has done over the last four decades, express our commitment to continuing to provide service to refugees, and honor those who've helped us along the way. Visit our event site for tickets and sponsorship information.
Ongoing: Broadview Immigrant Detention Center Friday Morning Vigils - The weekly Broadview Prayer Vigil is still happening, but we are doing it online. As is customary, the first of the month Friday are interfaith and other weeks we pray the Rosary. Anyone wanting to participate can email us with a request to join.