JFI Week in Review - January 11th - 15th, 2021

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Happy New Year! Welcome back and here's to continuing our work together welcoming, accompanying, and integrating immigrants and refugees!

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

La Navidad en un Año Colmado de Sorpresas
El obispo Mario Dorsonvillle de la Arquidiócesis de Washington escribió en El Pregonero (el periódico en español de la Arquidiócesis de Washington) sobre la celebración de Navidad en "un año colmado de sorpresas". El obispo Dorsonville esperaba "que esta Navidad sea un encuentro humano y divino con el Dios encarnado quien, lejos de las riquezas de este mundo, se dignó nacer en un pesebre para derramar su amor a la humanidad y la plenitud de su sacrificio de salvación nos dará la Eternidad cuando nuestro peregrinaje en este mundo llegue a un fin". Para leer todo del mensaje del obispo puede visitar este enlace aquí.

Seminario Web "Propuestas Pastorales ante un Nuevo Escenario de Política Migratoria"

Pastoral Migratoria Nacional y Justice for Immigrants/MRS-USCCB Pastoral Migratoria Nacional y la Oficina de Justicia para los Inmigrantes (JFI) de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) lo invitan a ver este seminario web en español que se grabó el día 7 de enero de 2021 a las 6:00pm CST con el fin de informarse sobre los posibles desafíos y oportunidades ante un nuevo escenario de política migratoria y destacando particularmente nuestro compromiso y respuesta pastoral con la comunidad inmigrante. Los panelistas que participaron en el seminario web los panelistas se enumeran a continuación y usted puede ver la grabación en este enlace https://fb.watch/2_VP5l6j69/.

Bienvenida y Bendición

Reverendísimo Mario E. Dorsonville, Obispo Auxiliar de la Arquidiócesis de Washington y Presidente del Comité de Migración, USCCB

Panelistas

Michelle Sardone, Subdirectora de Programas, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)
Daniela Alulema, Directora de Programas, Center for Migration Studies, New York
Concepción Morales, Líder Comunitario y Feligrés de la Parroquia Cristo Rey, Arquidiócesis de Baltimore
Celina M. Marquez, Consultora de Legislaciones, Justice for Immigrants/MRS-USCCB

Escuela Durante una Pandemia: Hoja Informativa (de Catholic Charities Community Services en Phoenix)

Catholic Charities Community Services en Phoenix, AZ ha compartido su recurso con respecto a la educación durante la pandemia COVID-19 con la red JFI. Estos recursos están disponibles en árabe, inglés, farsi, francés, español, swahili y tigrinya.

El Aspecto Humano de la Inmigración, Claves para Salir al Encuentro

Hace unos años el Papa Francisco le dio a la Hermana Norma Pimentel, M.J. un lugar destacado durante una audiencia papal televisada. En un momento no programado, pidió hablar directamente con ella, y le agradeció a ella y a todas las hermanas católicas de los EE. UU.

La Hermana Norma Pimentel, Misionera de Jesús y Directora Ejecutiva de Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande de la Diócesis de Brownsville, ha recibido numerosos premios a lo largo de los años por su trabajo en Texas con los migrantes de la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos. Ahora, ella puede agregar un nuevo título a su lista como una de las 100 personas más influyentes del mundo por la revista Time.

Para ayudar a extender esta iniciativa pastoral fundamentada en la Exhortación Apostólica Evangelii Gaudium, la Oficina de Ministerios Interculturales de la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta, ha preparado una conferencia virtual en español, el día 28 de enero, de 2:00 a 4:00 p.m., bajo el tema: "El aspecto humano de la inmigración, claves para salir al Encuentro". Durante esta presentación, la Hermana Norma, nos profundizará el aspecto humano de la inmigración a la luz de la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia y nos brindará recomendaciones para salir al encuentro de nuestros hermanos migrantes con quienes ella y su equipo desarrollan su ministerio. Si desea participar, por favor haga clic y regístrese gratuitamente aquí.

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

English Language Section

Refugee Updates

Court Rules in Favor of Resettlement Agencies

Court ruling allows continued halt to the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 13888-the EO requiring state and local consent to resettle in a locale. On January 8, 2021, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion upholding a U.S. District Court of Maryland preliminary injunction that has halted the implementation of Executive Order 13888 since January 15, 2020. Several resettlement agencies brought the lawsuit, and IRAP is representing them. The USCCB joined other resettlement agencies in an amicus in support of the case challenging EO 13888.

See JFI's FAQ on EO 13888.

Adjustment of Presidential Determination Fiscal Year 2021

President-elect Biden is expected to increase the refugee ceiling for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 soon after he assumes office. There are provisions in law enabling him to make such an adjustment. The current ceiling set by President Trump is 15,000. According to the Biden Plan for Securing our Values as a Nation of Immigrants: "President Biden will set the annual global refugee admissions cap to 125,000 and seek to raise it over time commensurate with our responsibility, our values, and the unprecedented global need." We are continuing to monitor this issue and will be working to ensure President Biden signs a new Executive Order as soon as possible!

Stay tuned for updates!

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Sweeping Asylum Rules

On January 8, 2021, Judge James Donato of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of a final rule that would have drastically restricted access to asylum for foreign nationals fleeing persecution and torture. The rule, titled "Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review," was to go into effect on January 11, 2021. The new rule "would narrow the types of persecution and severity of threats for which asylum is granted" and would make it easier for judges to find an asylum claim "frivolous." Judge Donato determined that the appointment of Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, did not follow the proper order of succession for the position and consequently "Wolf lacked the authority to impose the sweeping rules." The preliminary injunction remains in effect while a lawsuit against the rule proceeds in federal court.

Appropriations: Congress Passes FY 21 Omnibus Appropriations and COVID-19 Funding

On December 21, 2020, the House and Senate passed a spending package, H.R. 133, which included an omnibus bill that gives funding for all 12 appropriation bills for through September 30, 2021 and $900 billion for COVID-19 relief (more on this below). President Trump signed it into law on December 27, 2020. Please see a preliminary summary of the funding levels appropriated in this package. A more complete summary is being prepared, including relevant bill and report language for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review and State Department and will be shared with you soon.

Additional COVID-19 Relief in 2021

President-elect Biden has stated his intention to push for another COVID-19 relief package once in office. His proposal is expected to include $2,000 stimulus payments and more money for cities and states to boost their response to COVID-19 and facilitate vaccine distribution. Under the CARES Act passed in March of 2020, 5.1 million U.S. citizens and lawful immigrants were excluded from receiving stimulus payments because they were the children or spouses of undocumented immigrants. This was partially rectified by last month's COVID-19 relief package, which allowed individual spouses with a Social Security Number and their U.S.-citizen or legal-immigrant children to receive payments, including retroactively. Unfortunately, this still leaves out many mixed-status families, including those with a single parent or two parents who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and have one or more U.S.-citizen children. A total of 2.2 million U.S.-citizen and legal-immigrant children remain excluded. See this commentary from the Migration Policy Institute. The USCCB is actively working to ensure that all persons who file taxes in the U.S. and all U.S.-citizen or legal-immigrant children are included in stimulus payments. A more detailed set of priorities for this legislation and an accompanying action alert are forthcoming. Stay tuned!

Justice for Immigrants Transition Documents

Over the last few months, Justice for Immigrants Core Members have collaborated on a series of documents that represent the collective recommendations of JFI for the incoming Biden Administration
and 117th Congress. The documents, divided into four different areas, are:

Ensuring Access to Lawful Status and Citizenship: Addresses both those already living in the
U.S., such as Dreamers and TPS holders, and those seeking to migrate, such as refugees,
while also emphasizing the importance of family unity and treating all migrants with dignity, regardless of income, race, or religion.
Guaranteeing Just and Humane Border Policies: Focuses on the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, including policies such as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), and highlights the
need for reform in order to cultivate a more humane approach to border management and
ensure due process.
Reforming Enforcement and Ending Mass Detention: Critiques current detention and deportation policies, especially their use as a deterrent to migration, and proposes solutions for reforming
the system, including the increased use of meaningful community-based alternatives to
detention (ATDs) and ensuring protections for vulnerable populations.
Addressing Root Causes of Migration from Central America: Identifies challenges in U.S. foreign policy, international assistance, and trade, and advocates for approaches to these issues that
further the common good and recognize the right to a dignified life for all people.

A page has also been created on the JFI website for these documents.

Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) Webinar: Planning and Facilitating Virtual Lobby Visits

The 117th Congressional Session is underway, with new members and new opportunities to pursue just policies that benefit the common good. While in-person visits to local offices and the Hill may be suspended during the pandemic, virtual visits can be a simple and constructive way to communicate with elected officials. On Friday, January 15, 2020 at 1 PM ET, Ashley Feasley, director of policy for USCCB/Migration and Refugee Services, will walk us through how to plan and facilitate productive meetings with members of the 117th Congress and the new administration. Sign up here.

Toolkit for Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Join us in commemorating this important month decreed by presidential proclamation since 2010!

The toolkit, co-developed by the Coalition of Catholic Organizations against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT), has excellent ways for you to work to end human trafficking in your community and how to commemorate February 8th, the annual International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking and the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, "a shining advocate of genuine emancipation."

Let us know what events you are planning! Send us an email and we will promote your event on social media!

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resource

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) MLK Day of Service Resources. January 18, 2020 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a national day of service. CCUSA encourages local Catholic Charities to host and/or participate in events to celebrate King's profound legacy. To help brainstorm ideas for events your organization could host, check out this service event ideas flyer and project resources. For virtual MLD Day of Service events, check out this virtual event best practices guide. For in-person events, review this Health & Safety Guidance and consider using this free polypropylene face mask request form for your event.
A Conversation on Anti-Human Trafficking, January 19, 2021, at 3 PM ET. In preparation for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking-February 8, 2021-Global Sisters Report offers this conversation with Srs. Gabriella Bottani and Jean Schafer, Catholic leaders working against human trafficking. GSR staff writer Soli Salgado, will facilitate this important conversation. Learn more and register for this event.
Jesuit Refugee Services USA Live Virtual Panel Discussion. The First 100 Days on January 19, 2020, at 2 PM ET. Panelists will discuss access to asylum, refugee resettlement, and overseas humanitarian assistance and what the Biden Administration and new Congress can do in the first 100 days. RSVP for more information.

Roundtable-Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors. Monthly Prayer Opportunity on January 26, 2020 at 2 PM ET. Join us with Roundtable member, Dcn. Paul Kipfstuhl from the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland. Join via Zoom.
FREE Webinar (with 1.5 CLE) from CLINIC: The Nuts and Bolts of DACA Filings in 2021 on January 29, 2021 at 2 PM ET. The original 2012 DACA program has been restored! Need a refresher on DACA eligibility and how to file initial, renewal and advance parole applications? This webinar for DACA practitioners will discuss the latest USCIS developments, strategies for gathering supporting evidence for various eligibility requirements and practice tips related to advance parole travel. Learn more and register.
School During a Pandemic: Fact Sheet Resource (from Catholic Charities Community Services in Phoenix, AZ). Catholic Charities Community Services has kindly shared their resource regarding schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic with the JFI network. These resources are available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrinya.