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Congress returned to Washington after spending last week in district for the July 4th holiday. The gaze of Washington remained fixed on family separation at the U.S. southern border and the 2020 Census.
Prior to leaving Washington, Congress passed a $4.6 billion border supplemental spending package aimed at providing humanitarian aid at the border. The funds provided $793 million for Customs and Border Protection migrant care and processing facilities, $112 million for medical and supplies such as clothing and hygiene products, and $30 million for local nonprofits to deal with the crisis through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. This week Congress continued to shine a spotlight on the crisis at the border with hearings regarding the administration's child separation policy.
In other news, President Trump announced that he will abandon efforts to add a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. This decision comes two weeks after a Supreme Court ruling that gave the administration an opportunity to better explain in lower court the need for adding the question. U.S. Census officials indicated that a swift decision was necessary to meet the deadline to print and distribute the census.
Last week, Catholic Charities USA submitted joint comments on a proposed rule that would adjust regulations surrounding access to housing vouchers for immigrant families with different immigration statuses. The proposed rule would bar eligible family members from accessing housing subsidies unless all members of the household are of "eligible immigration status." Currently, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive federal housing assistance, but if they live in a household where a family member is eligible then the household can receive a portion of the subsidy. An analysis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development projects approximately 55,000 eligible low income children would be impacted if the rule were to go into effect.
In the submitted comments, CCUSA, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States, wrote that the proposed rule is in tension with the dignity of the person, the sanctity of the family, and the common good that we are called to support. You can read the full comments here.
Faith and the Common Good
Dennis McManus was the first to identify that Charles Carroll was the one Catholic who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Charles Carroll was a wealthy planter from Maryland, an early advocate of independence from Great Britain and the sole Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and Confederation Congress and later as the first United States Senator for Maryland. In 1828, Charles Carroll set the "first stone" that began the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Carroll was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence - and the longest lived. He died at the age of 95 in 1832.
It is worth noting his other famous cousins, including Daniel Carroll II who was among the signers of the Constitution of the United States. His other well-known cousin was John Carroll, the first bishop and archbishop in the United States. He served as the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Prayer for Migrant Families
Good and gracious God, we thank you for the gift of families. We are grateful for all of the joy and love that they bring into our lives, and we ask that you provide special protection for all families, particularly those who face hardships as they move in search of a better life.
Show mercy to those who travel in danger, and lead them to a place of safety and peace. Comfort those who are alone and afraid because their families have been torn apart by violence and injustice.
As we reflect upon the difficult journey that the Holy Family faced as refugees in Egypt, help us to remember the suffering of all migrant families.
Through the intercession of Mary our Mother, and St. Joseph the Worker, her spouse, we pray that all migrants may be reunited with their loved ones and find the meaningful work they seek.
Open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality for all who come in search of refuge. Give us the courage to welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Copyright © 2010, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.
Trivia
What was the original name of Catholic Charities USA and what year did the organization change its name?
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