JFI Week in Review - February 8th - 12th, 2021

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Seminario web de Justicia para Inmigrantes: Impactos de COVID-19 en las Comunidades de Inmigrantes y las Respuestas Católicas

Por favor, únase a nosotros el jueves 18 de febrero a las 3pm - 4pm ET para el próximo seminario web de Justicia para Inmigrantes titulado "Impactos de COVID-19 en las Comunidades de Inmigrantes y las Respuestas Católicas".

Va a escuchar sobre los impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las comunidades de inmigrantes en todo los Estados Unidos. También escuchará acerca de las diferentes respuestas de la comunidad católica a la pandemia y cómo están apoyando a las personas y familias necesitadas dentro de los Estados Unidos y de la frontera entre los Estados Unidos y México.

Para registrarse para la versión en español del seminario web, visite:
https://usccb.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtduiqrjoiGNDFkgC47XGIoH_v5pnNyS6q

Panelistas del Seminario Web:

- Daniela Alulema, Centro para los Estudios sobre la Migración

- Marisa Limón Garza, Instituto Fronterizo Esperanza

- Deacon Gabriel Cuervo, Caridades Católicas de South Carolina

- Sarah Hoff, Moderadora, USCCB/MRS

Los Líderes Católicos Instan al Estatus de Protección Temporal y a la Asistencia Extranjera para los Países Centroamericanos Devastados por los Huracanes Recientes

El 10 de febrero 2021, el obispo Mario Dorsonville, presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, el obispo David Malloy, presidente del Comité de Justicia y Paz Internacional de la USCCB, y Sean Callahan, presidente y director ejecutivo de los Servicios Católicos de Ayuda, solicitaron formalmente que la Administración Biden proporcione una designación de 18 meses de Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los extranjeros de El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua, cuatro países centroamericanos recientemente devastados por los huracanes Eta e Iota en noviembre.

En su carta, el obispo Dorsonville, el obispo Malloy, y el Sr. Callahan expresado: "Los recientes huracanes Eta e Iota han devastado comunidades en toda Centroamérica. Además de proporcionar asistencia humanitaria que salva vidas a las poblaciones necesitadas, los Estados Unidos tienen la responsabilidad moral de proporcionar a los extranjeros de esos países actualmente presentes en los Estados Unidos la protección humanitaria temporal."

Calendario de Cuaresma 2021 (cortesía de Pastoral Migratoria Nacional)

Desde 2006, la Pastoral Migratoria Nacional ha estado proporcionando un calendario de Cuaresma pidiendo a todos los católicos que acompañen a los inmigrantes en su travesía por la justicia. Este año, la Pastoral Migratoria Nacional está pidiendo orar, ayunar y actuar en apoyo a la integración de los inmigrantes y refugiados que buscan seguridad pero que en cambio encuentran negación y detención. Para ver el calendario de Cuaresma de este año por favor visite este enlace aquí.

Nuevo Año Colmado de Oportunidades y Esperanzas

El obispo Mario Dorsonville de la Arquidiócesis de Washington escribió en El Pregonero (el periódico en español de la Arquidiócesis de Washington) sobre el comienzo de un nuevo año y cómo "en el 2021, una gran esperanza se vislumbra en la vida de cerca de 11 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que por muchos años han vivido, trabajado, aportado a la economía de esta nación y finalmente, en justicia, se propone con esta nueva administración la posibilidad de una reforma migratoria integral". Para leer todo del mensaje del obispo puede visitar este enlace aquí.

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

English Language Section

Catholic Leaders Urge Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Foreign Assistance for Central American Countries Devastated by Recent Hurricanes

On February 10th, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chair of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, Bishop David Malloy, chair of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, requested that the Biden Administration provide an 18-month designation of TPS for foreign nationals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, due to devastation from Hurricanes Eta and Iota.

In their letter, Bishop Dorsonville, Bishop Malloy, and Mr. Callahan stated: "Recent hurricanes Eta and Iota have devastated communities across Central America. In addition to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to populations in need, the U.S. has a moral responsibility to provide . . . temporary humanitarian protection."

President Biden's February 2021 Executive Orders on Immigration

On February 2nd, President Biden signed the following migration-related Executive Orders (EO):

Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families

Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework to Address the Causes of Migration, to Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and to Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border

Restoring Faith in Legal Immigration Systems, Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans

Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration.

Learn more about the EOs:

See our FAQ on the refugee EO here.
See our backgrounder on the other migration EOs here.
See the USCCB's statement in response to the President's actions, available here.

These developments are in addition to other executive actions, administrative memoranda, and an immigration legislative proposal announced since Inauguration Day. Click here to learn more.

USCCB Testimony on House Judiciary Hearing on Immigration Reform

On February 11, 2021, Bishop Dorsonville submitted congressional testimony on behalf of the USCCB Committee on Migration to the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. The testimony is for a hearing entitled "The U.S. Immigration System: The Need for Bold Reforms". A full-length hearing recording can be found here.

President Biden Proposes a Refugee Goal of 125,000 for FY 2022

On February 4th, President Biden announced Executive Order 14013, (described above) and . plans to propose an FY 2022 Presidential Determination (PD) of 125,000. The Administration also proposed to Congress an emergency revision of the FY 2021 PD from 15,000 to 62,500. This would include 22,000 refugees from Africa, 6,000 from East Asia, 4,000 from Europe and Central Asia, 5,000 from Central America, 13,000 from the Near East and South Asia, and 12,500 unallotted. The Administration will consult with Congress about this proposed PD, as required by law, and then finalize their admission plans for FY 2021.

Court Rules on the Expulsion of Unaccompanied Children at the U.S. Border

On January 29, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stayed the government's appeal of a preliminary injunction in the PJES v. Pekoske case, which halted the expulsion of UACs at the U.S. border under Title 42. The Biden Administration has stated that they will not expel unaccompanied minors at the border, despite this ruling.

Restraining Order on Deportation Moratorium Extended

On January 20, 2021, DHS issued a Memorandum implementing a 100-day pause on all deportations (with certain exceptions), beginning January 22, 2021, while also ordering a comprehensive review of enforcement policies and priorities and issuing
interim civil enforcement guidelines. In a lawsuit brought by the State of Texas, Judge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas granted a nationwide temporary restraining order (TRO) for 14 days, blocking the deportation moratorium. The TRO requires that those who already have an order of removal must be removed within 90 days. On February 9, 2021, the TRO was renewed by the court for an additional 14 days. Importantly, this TRO does not prevent the government from granting stays on an individual basis to those who have received an order of removal or exercising its discretion to refrain from ordering further removals.

JFI Action Alert: Include Immigrant and Refugee Essential Workers in COVID-19 Relief

On February 3, 2021, the USCCB sent a letter to Congress asking that they include immigrant and refugee essential workers in any COVID-19 relief package. In the letter, the Bishops mentioned the vital importance of including immigrant and refugee families in COVID-19 relief including the eligibility of immigrant and refugee families for stimulus payments.

As COVID-19 continues to impact communities throughout the United States and we witness a record-breaking number of cases, immigrants and refugees continue to do jobs that are critical to keeping our country running. While many of these immigrants and refugees have themselves fled difficult situations and significant hardships in their home countries, they are now playing a pivotal role in the effort to manage and overcome our national health crisis-often at great risk to their own safety and that of their families.

How can you help?

Send an action alert urging Congress to include refugees and immigrants in any COVID-19 relief package.
Tune into our webinar: Impacts of COVID-19 on Immigrant Communities and Catholic Responses on Thursday, February 18th at 2 PM ET. Seminario Web: Impactos de COVID-19 en las Comunidades de Inmigrantes y las Respuestas Católicas, 18 Febrero de 2021 a las, 3 PM ET.
Learn more. Please see our COVID-19 Resource page.

JFI National Call

Please join us for the next Justice for Immigrants National Call on Monday, February 22nd at noon ET. To join the national call, dial 1-800-446-1162 and use code 106181.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Talitha Kum Asia Webinar Series: Human Trafficking in the Fishing Industry: Prevention and Strategies, February 13, 2021 at 3:30 PM Philippines Time. Listen to this online panel with Fr. Bruno Ciceri, director of the International Stella Maris/Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) and Apinya Tajit, AOS port chaplain/deputy director and anti-trafficking superstar in Thailand. Get more information and register on the webinar website.

Irish Community Services (Chicago, IL) Webinar: Sponsoring a Relative for a Green Card, February 15, 2021 at 6:30 PM CT. Irish Community Services provides an overview of potential options for petitions to sponsor a relative for green cards. Pre-registration required.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigrant and Employee Rights Webinar: Refugees' and Asylees' Right to Work, February 17, 2021 from 2 PM ET. This free webinar will educate refugees, asylees, and the professionals working with them about workers' rights under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Register here.

WIC 101 Webinar - A Presentation for Catholic Charities Agencies, March 8, 2021 at 3 PM EST. Join us for a webinar to explore the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC has bipartisan support and improves the health of low-income women, infants, and children. Register here.

Sisters of the Good Shepherd VIRTUAL 2021 Shine the Light on Human Trafficking Conference: Root Causes and Intersections on Human Trafficking, March 8th and 9th. Learn about human trafficking and take action. Register and visit the conference webpage.

Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccination Videos from the Vermont Multilingual Coronavirus Taskforce. Created by the Vermont Department of Health, and the Vermont Coronavirus Multilingual Taskforce, these videos contain very clear and straightforward information on COVID-19 vaccinations, and address concerns refugee communities have expressed.

In Solidarity,

Tony Cube