JFI Week in Review - November 30th - December 4th, 2020

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Upcoming USCCB Holiday Closures

In observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the USCCB office will be closed on the Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th. During this time, responses to any inquiries may be delayed.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Presidente de la USCCB comenta sobre el caso de distribución del Censo de la Corte Suprema

El 30 de noviembre de 2020, el obispo Mario Dorsonville de Washington y presidente del Comité de Migración de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB) emitió una declaración sobre Trump v. Nueva York, un caso argumentado ante la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos, que se centra en el memorándum del presidente Trump del 21 de julio de 2020 en el que se ordena al Secretario de Comercio que excluya a los inmigrantes indocumentados de la distribución de representantes del Congreso. El obispo Dorsonville señaló: "La enseñanza de la Iglesia es clara: la dignidad humana es la más sagrada, independientemente de su condición jurídica. Por esa razón, una vez más afirmamos la necesidad de contar a todas las personas en el censo, así como en la distribución de los representantes del Congreso".

El 16 de noviembre de 2020, la USCCB, junto con Catholic Charities USA y Catholic Health Association, presentó un escrito de amicus curiae en el caso de distribución del Censo. El escrito argumenta que excluir a las personas indocumentadas de la base de distribución del Censo envía un mensaje que indica que las personas indocumentadas no son miembros iguales de la familia humana. La USCCB ha publicado declaraciones sobre el Censo de 2020 a principios de este año y en abril de 2019.

Cortesía de Pastoral Migratoria Nacional:

Estimados hermanos y hermanas de los Inmigrantes,

Esperamos que estas reflexiones de Adviento os ayuden a meditar y contemplar la migración de Dios a nuestro mundo y nos preparen para acoger a Jesús en nuestros corazones y hogares todos los días de nuestra vida a través del rostro de extraños.

Por favor, compartan nuestras reflexiones de Adviento (español e inglés) con sus contactos. ¡Gracias de antemano!

Paz,

Pastoral Migratoria Nacional

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

USCCB Chairman Comments on the Supreme Court's Census Apportionment Case

On November 30, 2020, Bishop Mario Dorsonville of Washington and chair of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration issued a statement on Trump v. New York, a case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which focuses on President Trump's July 21, 2020 memorandum instructing the Secretary of Commerce to exclude undocumented immigrants from the apportionment of congressional representatives. Bishop Dorsonville noted: "The Church's teaching is clear: human dignity is most sacred, regardless of legal status. For that reason, we once again affirm the need to count all persons in the census, as well as in the apportionment of congressional representatives."

On November 16, 2020, the USCCB, together with Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Health Association, filed an amicus curiae brief in the Census apportionment case. The brief argues that excluding undocumented persons from the apportionment base of the Census sends a message that undocumented persons are not equal members of the human family. The USCCB has issued statements about the 2020 Census earlier this year and in April 2019.

President-elect Biden Announces Pick for DHS Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden selected Alejandro Mayorkas to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mayorkas, himself a refugee from Cuba, will become the first Latino to lead the agency. From 2009-13, he served as the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and was one of the architects of the DACA program; in December 2014, he was confirmed as DHS Deputy Secretary. In both of his official capacities under the Obama Administration, DHS Secretary-nominee Mayorkas had interactions and has been involved with MRS and other Catholic church-led organizations.

COVID 19 and Appropriations Update

Congress is reportedly considering two bills to address the health and economic impact of COVID-19. One is a $908 billion measure proposed by a bipartisan group of Senators including Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). This measure is also
reportedly supported by Speaker Pelosi and Senator Minority Leader Schumer as a starting point for negotiation. The other bill championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is a measure for some $500 billion. Speaker Pelosi expressed optimism that a relief measure could be negotiated in the coming days.

Unfortunately, there are no immigrant and refugee provisions in either bill at this time, including S.4071 and S.4381 which provide eligibility for mixed status families for stimulus relief in prior COVID packages and in future, respectively. We will be continuing to advocate for inclusion of priorities that help immigrant and refugees. It is important to note the aim of the bipartisan bill is reportedly to meet the COVID-related emergency needs for the first quarter of 2021. If that is the case, we will continue to push for more substantive release in the new year.

FY2021 Appropriations Update

On December 11, 2020, the funding for the federal government will end. Congress is working on appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Congress must either pass another continuing resolution to extend funding or pass appropriations measures. The alternative would be a government shutdown. So far, concerning refugee and immigration related funding, the final FY2021 funding is likely to be within the parameters of the proposed House and Senate levels. The House passed Labor Health and Human Service (LHHS), State and Foreign Operations Programs (SFOPs), Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) bills in July 2020, and drafted a Homeland Security (DHS) bill, and the Senate has drafted LHHS, SFOPs, CJS, and DHS bills but has not passed them.

LHHS-ORR - $1.91 billion by the House and $1.83 billion by the Senate.
SFOPs - House and Senate both have $3.432 billion for Migration Refugee Assistance, $4.4 billion for International Disaster Assistance, and $100,000 for Emergency Refugees and Migration Assistance.
CJS - the House ensure $25 million for the four kinds of Legal Orientation Programs compared to $20 million proposed by the Senate.
DHS - the House levels include $500 million for Alternatives to Detention, and $75 million for Detention Case Management (e.g. Family Case Management).

Coming Soon! Justice for Immigrants Transition Papers

The Justice for Immigrants core team has been working on short policy documents focused on: legalization, immigration enforcement, border policy, and root causes. These documents will be used to help influence the new Administration and also the 117th Congressional session. Please stay tuned for our next national call where some of the JFI core team will be discussing this effort and look out for the documents on the JFI website soon!

New! Updated Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Backgrounder

Unaccompanied refugee minors are refugee children who do not have a parent or relative available to providing for their long-term care. These children are unable to return to their home countries due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Learn more about the URM program that USCCB/MRS operates with the federal government and the Lutheran Immigrant Refugee Services.

Read our updated backgrounder available on our Refugee pages.

Webinar: Responding to Family Separations: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward

Please join this webinar on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 3 PM ET as presenters examine the consequences of family separation on immigrant families over the last half decade and provide recommendations to prevent family separation in the future. The panelists are:

Leah Chavla, Senior Policy Advisor, Women's Refugee Commission
Carol Anne Donahoe, Managing Attorney, Family Reunification Project, Al Otro Lado
Ashley Feasley, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, USCCB/MRS
Jeremy McLean, Policy & Advocacy Manager, Justice in Motion

Please join us for the webinar at Bit.ly/Family_Separation
See the flyer below for more information:

Archdiocese of Washington's Annual Walk with Mary - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Virtual) - December 12, 2020 at 1 PM ET

The apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego impacted our history in significant ways. For centuries, the miraculous image of Our Mother has called Catholics back to the faith and moved others to embrace the faith. Today, Our Lady continues to empower our evangelization efforts with her constant proclamation of the Gospel. Most importantly, as the Patroness of the Americas and the Star of the First and New Evangelization, she calls us to encounter and accompany the stranger in our midst.

All are invited to join us on-line as we Walk with Mary this December! View the livestream from Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC on the Archdiocese's website.

Due to the pandemic, this year´s tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe will be virtual, not in person.

Ignatian Solidarity Network Virtual Posadas 2020: In Search of Shelter and Protection

The tradition of Las Posadas is a reenactment of the eve of the first Christmas, when Joseph and Mary searched for room at the inn, but none was to be found. Traditional
Las Posadas witness a group of people traveling from house to house singing, seeking shelter for the night, answered by those indoors, answering in song. At the third home, the peregrinos, or pilgrims, are welcomed inside to pray, eat, and celebrate.

From December 16-24, 2020, join JFI core member Ignatian Solidarity Network in a daily virtual Posadas experience of music, art, prayer, reflection, and action as we journey with the Holy Family and migrants around the world in search of shelter and protection. Learn more here!

Pastorial Migratoria at the Archdiocese of Chicago: Adviento (Advent) 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Immigrants,

We hope that these Advent reflections help you meditate and contemplate the migration of God into our world and prepare us to welcome Jesus into our hearts and homes every day of our lives through the face of strangers.

Kindly share our Advent reflections (Spanish and English) with your contacts. Thanks in advance!

Peace,

National Pastoral Migratoria

Gateways for Growth Grants Update: Congratulations to Catholic Groups!

Information about the Gateways for Growth Challenge grants from New American Economy and Welcoming America was provided in our July 6-10, 2020 Week in Review. We want to congratulate two Catholic agencies that have been selected as 2020 grant recipients to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington and Catholic Charities of SW Kansas. Additionally, other Catholic church-led entities were noted as partners of grantees or participants in research funded by the grants, including Catholic Charities of Houston and the Diocese of Little Rock, respectively. The list of 2020 grant recipients is on the Gateways for Growth webpage. Congratulations!

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Washington State COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund - Apply BEFORE Dec. 6, 2020 - If you're an immigrant experiencing hard times because of COVID-19, and you aren't eligible for federal financial relief or unemployment insurance, this fund is for you. Apply for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund and receive a $1,000 one-time direct payment (up to $3,000 per household). Learn more and apply online or by calling 1-844-724-3737. The Immigrant Relief Fund website is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Swahili, Garifuna, Tagalog, Somali, and Hindi.
FREE COVID-19 Testing - December 8, 2020 at 10 AM - 3 PM PT in Tacoma, WA - Pierce County, WA is providing a mobile COVID-19 testing station at Centro Latino, 1208 S. 10th St., Tacoma 98405. Tests are free and identification is not required. Results are available in 5-7 days. Visit the county website for more information.
Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) Grassroots Advocacy Webinar - December 14, 2020 at Noon ET - Panelists will explore top resettlement policy and advocacy asks, top asylum policy and advocacy asks, and a review of priority issues for refugee community members. You can register now for the webinar.

Berkley Center at Georgetown University Webinar: Rethinking Religion and U.S. Diplomacy: Refugee Resettlement Policies - December 7, 2020 at 2 PM ET - U.S. refugee policies demand new approaches as the new administration takes office in January. The roles that religious institutions play in historical practices of resettlement and public attitudes towards global and national approaches to forced migration are important to a comprehensive understanding of the crisis of displaced persons. RSVP for the webinar.
Free Webinar from CLINIC: Update from the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez - December 8, 2020 at 2 PM ET - Join CLINIC for a free webinar with officials from the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez who will discuss their current operations and prospects for the coming months. Officials will answer questions related to rescheduling appointments cancelled due to COVID-19; resumption of routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services; procedures in place for requesting emergency services and national interest exceptions; and other policies. Learn more and register.
Catholic Charities USA Webinar: The 2020 Elections - Possible Highlights for 117th Congress - December 16, 2020 at 1 PM ET - Join the Social Policy team at Catholic Charities USA as we review the results of the 2020 elections, how we move forward and possible highlights in the 117th Congress beginning in January 2021. Register here.
National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) - December 8-9, 2020 -
Now in its 13th year, NIIC is the largest annual conference on immigration in the U.S., and plays a central role in the powerful, diverse and broad immigrant and refugee rights and integration field. Get more information and register on the conference website.