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Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
Fiscal Year 2020 Presidential Determination (PD) Announcement
President Trump announced on September 26, 2019 his intent to accept a maximum of 18,000 refugees in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The new limit (known as the Presidential Determination or PD) is a 40% decrease from last year's PD of 30,000 refugees and an 80% drop from the PD of 110,000 set in 2016. The Trump Administration is predetermining which refugees will be eligible by reserving:
- 4,000 slots for Iraqis who worked for the U.S. mission in Iraq,
- 1,500 for people from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, and
- 5,000 for people persecuted for their religious beliefs
The remaining 7,500 slots are set aside for other refugees, including those attempting family unification in the United States, certain refugees coming through Australia, and others vetted for resettlement. The Trump Administration has yet to have the statutorily mandated PD consultation with Congress, which is reportedly scheduled for October 15, 2019, and also has yet to issue the formal White House memorandum with the final PD decision.
In response, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, TX and Chairman of the Committee on Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a statement noting: "[T]o lower the number of refugee admissions for those who are in need is unacceptable...Turning a blind eye to those in need with such callous disregard for human life would go against the values of our nation and fail to meet the standards that make our society great."
Executive Order (EO) on State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement
President Trump also issued EO 13888 On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement. We have a created a backgrounder on the State/Local Refugee EO and are working to learn more information about the impact and implementation. Additionally, JFI has created materials to help you build support for refugees with local, state, and federal elected officials. We strongly encourage you reach out to these local stakeholders and urge them to make public expressions of support for welcoming refugees in your community. See the EO 13888 Toolkit.
JFI Webinar Slides and Recording for October 2nd Refugee Update Posted
Thank you to those who participated in Wednesday's webinar that provided more insight and information on the PD for FY 2020 and EO 13888. The presentation slides and webinar recording are now available on the JFI webinar page .
Upcoming JFI Webinar
Want to learn about possible state-level refugee advocacy opportunities? On October 16, 2019 join our JFI webinar that includes guest speaker Catholic Charities of Oregon to learn about exciting state-level refugee advocacy successes and strategies.
DACA Update
The U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on November 12, 2019. We are proud to announce that the USCCB along with several Catholic and Evangelical partners will be submitting an amicus brief in support of DACA youth today, October 4th. The brief focuses on family unity and the separation and hardship DACA youth would endure if the DACA program is rescinded. USCCB was joined on the brief by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Association of the United States, CLINIC, Center for Migration Studies of New York, Council of Christian Colleges & Universities, and World Relief. Please stay tuned for more updates and resources on Dreamers and DACA youth in the coming weeks.
Ruling on Flores Regulations
On September 27, 2019, Judge Dolly Gee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a permanent injunction blocking implementation of the Administration's recent regulations on the Flores Settlement Agreement. Flores sets forth critical protections regarding the care, custody, and release of immigrant children who are in federal custody. Had the court not halted the rule, it would have drastically undermined existing Flores protections for immigrant children in federal custody, including by allowing for their prolonged detention in unlicensed and unsafe facilities. Judge Gee's ruling preserves the 1997 settlement, which remains in effect nationwide.
USCCB Statement for the Record on Detention
On September 27, 2019, Bishop Vásquez submitted a written statement for the record to the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship for a hearing entitled "The Expansion and Troubling Use of ICE Detention." The statement includes recommendations regarding family detention, Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs, and mandatory detention. You can find a copy of the statement posted on the JFI website.
Appropriations Update
On September 26, 2019, the Senate passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government funded past the September 30th deadline. The bill passed the House last week, cleared the Senate chamber by an 81-16 margin, and was signed by the President. The stopgap measure, known as a "CR" or continuing resolution, will keep the federal government funded at FY 2019 levels through November 21st, providing lawmakers with additional time to pass final appropriations for FY 2020. If Congress and the Administration fail to come to consensus (or pass a subsequent stop-gap measure) by the November deadline, then the federal government faces the possibility of a shutdown.
Please stay tuned for resources and an upcoming webinar on the appropriations process.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- Pastoral Migratoria / Immigrant-led Social Ministry Webinar - October 15, 2019 at 2 PM Eastern: The webinar, co-sponsored by 4 USCCB departments (Cultural Diversity; Evangelization and Catechesis; Justice, Peace and Human Development; and Migration and Refugee Services), will discuss Pastoral Migratoria, an immigrant-led ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago to help form immigrant leaders. Register for the webinar to learn more.
- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Webinar: Trauma Informed-Care for the Adult Migrant - October 18, 2019 at 2 PM Eastern: This webinar will explore the effects of trauma in adult immigrants and refugees, how trauma impacts the human body, how to recognize traumatic response, and ways to help clients recover from traumatic experiences. Join the experts to define strategies to prevent secondary trauma and plan for self-care activities. Advance registration is requested.
- Advocates for Immigrants in Detention (AIDNW) Fall Fundraising Dinner - October 19, 2019 at 6 PM in Tacoma, WA: AIDNW is a volunteer organization that assists immigrants housed in the ICE Detention facility in Tacoma. The fundraiser will help support the services that AIDNW provides, including visitations, telephone calling cards, and a welcome center for those released from the detention center. Learn more about AIDNW and the dinner on the event website.
- University of Miami Forum on Religion and Public Life: Who is Our Neighbor? Immigration in Light of Catholic Social Teaching - October 21, 2019 at 7:30 PM in Miami, FL: Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami will share his insights on the intersection of Catholic Social Teaching and immigration. Registration information is on the program's website.
In Solidarity, Tony Cube
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