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JFI Week in Review - April 5th - 9th, 2021
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Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión
Declaración Conjunta de los Obispos Católicos sobre la Frontera entre Estados Unidos y México
El 1 de abril de 2021, los obispos de diócesis ubicadas en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y el Norte de México emitieron un comunicado conjunto sobre la situación en esa región. En su declaración, los obispos declararon:
Como obispos de los Estados Unidos y de México en la frontera, diariamente somos testigos del drama que enfrentan nuestras hermanas y hermanos migrantes. Para la mayoría de ellos, la decisión de migrar no está motivada por la indiferencia hacia su patria o la búsqueda de prosperidad económica; es una cuestión de vida o muerte. La situación es aún más difícil para los niños.
Desafíos como estos requieren soluciones humanitarias. Sin duda, las naciones tienen derecho a mantener sus fronteras. Esto es vital para su soberanía y su autodeterminación. Al mismo tiempo, todas las naciones comparten la responsabilidad de preservar la vida humana y proporcionar una inmigración segura, ordenada y humana, incluido el derecho de asilo.
Por eso renovamos un llamado a nuestros gobiernos, a los líderes políticos y a la sociedad civil para que trabajen juntos a fin de acoger, proteger, promover e integrar a los migrantes de acuerdo con su dignidad intrínsica, y a trabajar con otros países para eliminar las causas que obligan a una migración peligrosa e irregular, procurando soluciones a largo plazo. . .
La Pascua de Resurrección
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 la Pascua y cómo la celebración no es solo recordar un acontecimiento histórico que está narrado en los Evangelios, sino que vivirlo con nuestros ojos puestos en la fe. También el obispo dice, "les invito queridos hermanos y hermanas para que durante esta cincuentena Pascual podamos encontrar el tiempo y el espacio para orar a Dios, pedir su auxilio y ratificar el regalo de Su Espíritu quien con sus dones nos capacita para entregar-nos a los otros a imagen de Cristo, para servirles, ayudarles y ser los instrumentos en sus vidas de recon-ciliación y vuelta a la amistad con Dios". Para leer todo del mensaje del obispo puede visitar este enlace aquí.
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¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir? Favor de enviarlos a Sarah Hoff y nosotros los promovemos.
English Language Section
Joint Statement of Catholic Bishops on U.S.-Mexico Border
On April 1, 2021, the chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration and the bishops along the border of the United States and Northern Mexico issued a joint statement on the situation at the border. In their statement, the bishops declared:
As U.S. and Mexican bishops along the border, we witness daily the dilemma that our migrant sisters and brothers face. For most, the decision to migrate is not motivated by an indifference toward their homeland or the pursuit of economic prosperity; it is a matter of life or death. The situation is all the more difficult for children.
Challenges such as these require humanitarian solutions. Undoubtedly, nations have the right to maintain their borders. This is vital to their sovereignty and self-determination. At the same time, there is a shared responsibility of all nations to preserve human life and provide for safe, orderly, and humane immigration, including the right to asylum.
For that reason, we renew our appeal to our governments, to political leaders, and civil society, that they work together to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants in accordance with their intrinsic dignity, as well as work with other countries in the region to eliminate conditions that compel their citizens to resort to dangerous and irregular migration, producing long-term solutions. . .
Update on the Southern Border and Unaccompanied Children
Unaccompanied children continue to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border in large numbers. Coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services has opened emergency intake sites in several cities around the country in order to move children out of the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as quickly as possible. The government is continuing to evaluate new sites. For more updates on the situation at the southern border, related policies, and unaccompanied children, please see our briefing document.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of Catholic organizations that are working directly with migrants at the border and in facilities for unaccompanied children, along with links for making donations to assist them in their efforts:
In addition to monetary contributions, many of the above organizations are also accepting donations of certain items, such as clothing, hygiene products, and paper goods. For information about where and how to send these items, please see the organization's website or contact them directly. Those who are interested in volunteering and located near an influx facility/intake site for unaccompanied children are encouraged to contact their nearest Catholic Charities agency for volunteer opportunities.
Refugee Update
Refugee Council USA and executives of the national refugee resettlement agencies, including USCCB/MRS Executive Director Bill Canny, sent a letter to President Biden urging him to sign the revised Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Presidential Determination (PD) as soon as possible. The Administration has still not signed the revised PD, which would increase the FY 2021 refugee admissions goal from 15,000 to 62,500 and would restore the regional allocation framework.
During the first six months of FY 2021, an estimated 2,050 refugees were admitted to the U.S. and the top five destination states were California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Kentucky. An estimated 2,045 Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants were admitted and the top five destination states were California, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Maryland.
Immigration Reform Efforts in Congress
Additionally, Congress is expected to begin moving forward with a second reconciliation package primarily focused on infrastructure, which is being referred to as the American Jobs Plan. Provisions unrelated to infrastructure could also be included, such as those relating to immigration. Reconciliation is an optional part of the annual budget process. Only a simple majority is required in the House and Senate to pass a reconciliation bill. However, special rules apply. For example, only provisions that impact spending or revenues can be included. Please stay tuned over the coming weeks for updates on the reconciliation process.
Appropriations
The Administration sent Congress its Fiscal Year 2022 Discretionary Request, also known as the "skinny budget." This is a very high-level view of the budget, and the full budget of the Administration will likely come out in May. Nonetheless, three requests were specific enough to signal the Administration's intentions concerning certain migration related programs and policies. It requested $4.3 billion for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), more than double the amount appropriated to ORR in FY 2021. The Administration also requested $345 million in direct funding for USCIS to enable them to ramp up annual resettlement admissions to up to 125,000 refugees in FY 2022 and also reduce the asylum and naturalization backlogs. USCIS generally operates on revenue collected through immigration processing fees. Finally, the administration requested $861 million to address root causes in Central America of forced displacement and migration.
USCCB/MRS has been working with Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public life to pull together a public dialogue that will bring together leaders from the border, policy circles, the Catholic Church, and the immigrant community to examine some pressing issues related to migration. The event will take place on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 12:30-1:30 PM ET. RSVP on the webinar's website. Please join us and help to spread the word on this informative session.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- Feria de la Salud Community Health Fair, April 11, 2021. Come to the Saint Peter and Paul Church (738 S Saint Clair St, Toledo, OH 43609) for your free healthcare checkup. Get your BP, DM, cholesterol, and more checked. Also come by to learn some information about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Call (567) 702-0040 for more information.
- Franciscan Action Network: DACA Sesion de Información en Español, 14 de Abril, 2021, 7 PM ET. Registrarse aqui.
- Catholic Charities USA Webinar: Effective Strategies to Promote Domes-tic Abuse Awareness in Parishes, April 14, 2021 at 3 PM ET. Domestic abuse has risen during the pandemic; Catholic Charities agencies and parishes, working together, can offer hope, help, and healing by implementing practical strategies to address domestic abuse, ranging from increased parishioner awareness to organization of an in-depth ministry. This webinar will feature speakers who will present methods that have worked in over 50 parishes and will answer questions about developing a local response. A brief overview of Catholic teaching as it relates to domestic abuse will be included. Register here .
- Catholic Relief Services Virtual Presentation: Central America and Migration: Addressing Push Factors and Promoting Rootedness, April 15, 2021 at 3 PM ET. As the Biden administration develops a strategy to confront the instability, violence, and economic insecurity that drive migrants from Central America, there are opportunities to learn from past, and ongoing development initiatives, that address push factors and promote opportunities and desire to live and thrive in one's home community. Join policy experts in this discussion to learn more. RSVP required.
- Ecumenical Advocacy Days (Virtual): Imagine! God's Earth and People Restored, April 18-21, 2021: Space is still available for this annual interreligious training and advocacy opportunity. Sign-up now.
- Catholic Labor Network Panel Discussion: Ministering to Workers in the Time of COVID-19, April 20, 2021 at Noon ET. Listen to testimony taken from workers affected by the pandemic as clergy and laity jointly explore its implications for ministry. Register in advance.
- Catholic Charities - Archdiocese New York: Volunteer Immigration Court Help Desk. Every month we assist a group of unrepresented respondents in completing their Immigration Forms, which we will then submit to the government on their behalf. This fully remote position requires a computer and cell phone. See our website to volunteer.
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Catholic Volunteer Network (CVN) promotes full-time domestic and inter-national faith-based volunteer service opportunities for people of all ages, back-grounds, and skills. As the leading membership organization of Christian volun-teer and mission programs, CVN supports and enhances the work of its 185 members through volunteer recruitment, training and resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy. Learn more.
In solidarity,
Tony Cube
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3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017
Phone: (202) 541-3165 Fax: (202) 722-8711
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