JFI Week in Review - May 31st-June 4th, 2021

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Rediseño de Estatus de Protección Temporal para Haití

El 22 de mayo de 2021, el secretario del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS por sus siglas en inglés), Alejandro Mayorkas, redesignó Haití para el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS por sus siglas en inglés) por 18 meses. Los ciudadanos haitianos o personas apátrida y que han estado residiendo en los Estados Unidos al 21 de mayo de 2021 son elegibles para el TPS.El Presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, obispo Mario E. Dorsonville, y el obispo David Malloy de Rockford, presidente del Comité de Justicia y Paz Internacional de la USCCB, acogieron con beneplácito el anuncio y declararon: "Elogiamos esta decisión de redesignar a Haití para el TPS, que reconoce los graves desafíos que enfrenta la nación insular, incluyendo la violencia generalizada, los disturbios civiles, la inestabilidad política y la inseguridad alimentaria."

DHS terminó los Protocolos de Protección al Migrante

Tras una revisión exhaustiva del programa, el DHS terminó los Protocolos de Protección al Migrante (MPP por sus siglas en inglés)-también conocida como la política de "permanecer en México"-el 1 de junio de 2021. En su memorando, el Secretario Mayorkas señaló "que el MPP no mejora de manera adecuada o sostenible la gestión de fronteras de manera que justifique las extensas cargas operacionales del programa y otras deficiencias". Esto viene después de que la Administración pausó nuevas inscripciones en el programa y anunció un procesamiento gradual de aquellos que ya estaban inscritos; ese proceso está en curso. La información actualizada sobre MPP está disponible en el sitio web del DHS. Recursos adicionales están disponibles en el sitio web de JFI.

Una Vía Judicial Exprés Nueva

El 28 de mayo de 2021, el DHS y el Departamento de Justicia (DOJ por sus siglas en inglés) anunciaron una vía judicial exprés para acelerar los casos de asilo de ciertas familias que llegan entre puertos de entrada a lo largo de la frontera sur de los Estados Unidos. Las familias pueden calificar si fueron interceptadas el 28 de mayo de 2021 o después, puestas en proceso de deportación, e inscritas en una alternativa a la detención (ATD por sus siglas en inglés). Los jueces de Inmigración que trabajan en la vía judicial exprés buscarán emitir una decisión dentro de los 300 días de la audiencia inicial, pero se dice que esto es una meta, no un requisito. Si bien la Administración ha prometido que el cronograma acelerado no sacrificará el debido proceso, algunos defensores de la inmigración han expresado su preocupación, después de esfuerzos similares de las últimas dos administraciones. Diez ciudades con tribunales de inmigración han sido seleccionadas para la vía judicial exprés: Denver; Detroit; El Paso; Los Ángeles; Miami; Newark; Nueva York; San Diego; San Francisco; y Seattle.

Un recurso nuevo sobre la vía judicial exprés está disponible en inglés y español.

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

English Language Section

Temporary Protected Status Redesignation for Haiti

On May 22, 2021, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Haitian nationals or stateless persons who last resided in Haiti and who have been residing in the United States as of May 21, 2021, are eligible for TPS. USCCB Migration Committee Chairman Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville and Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace, welcomed the announcement and stated, "We are grateful for this decision to redesignate Haiti for TPS, which acknowledges the serious challenges facing the island nation, including widespread violence, civil unrest, political instability, and food insecurity."

Bishop Dorsonville: The Catholic Church Believes in Family Unity. That Includes the Children at the Border.

In a May 21st article published by America, Bishop Dorsonville wrote that the Catholic Church's ministry to migrants and refugees is based on the Church's teaching that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. This includes unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking protection. The Church's response to these children is not political, he writes, but part of answering the Gospel's call to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger. Bishop Dorsonville also goes on to emphasize the importance of family unity, the need to work with other countries to address the root causes of migration, and the importance of comprehensive immigration reform.

Migrant Protection Protocols Terminated

Following a comprehensive review of the program, DHS formally terminated the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)-also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy-on June 1, 2021. In his memorandum, Secretary Mayorkas noted "that MPP does not adequately or sustainably enhance border management in such a way as to justify the program's extensive operational burdens and other shortfalls." This comes after the Administration paused new enrollments in the program and announced a phased processing of those who were already enrolled; that process is ongoing. Updated information about MPP is available on the DHS website. Additional resources are available on the JFI website.

New Dedicated Docket

On May 28, 2021, DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a Dedicated Docket to expedite the asylum cases of certain families who arrive between ports of entry along the southern border of the United States. Families may qualify if they were apprehended on or after May 28, 2021, placed in removal proceedings, and enrolled in an alternative to detention (ATD). Immigraton judges working on the Dedicated Docket will seek to issue a decision within 300 days of the initial hearing, but this is said to be a goal, not a requirement. While the Administration has promised that the expedited timeline will not sacrifice due process, some immigration advocates have voiced concerns, following similar efforts by the last two administrations. Ten cities with immigration courts have been selected for the Dedicated Docket: Denver; Detroit; El Paso; Los Angeles; Miami; Newark; New York City; San Diego; San Francisco; and Seattle.

A new backgrounder on the Dedicated Docket is available in English and Spanish.

Unaccompanied Children in Texas

On June 1, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration that directs the state's Health and Human Services Commission to take all necessary steps to discontinue state licensure of any child care facility under a contract with the federal government that shelters or detains undocumented immigrants. This would take effect 90 days from the date of the declaration. The most recent census shows that the Texas network currently provides services to more than 4,000 children in the state's 52 shelters. Advocates worry that the declaration will result in longer stays for children in large-scale, unlicensed facilities and that other states will follow suit.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is ultimately responsible for unaccompanied migrant children, has stated that it does not intend to close any facilities, but it is assessing the governor's declaration.

President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2022

President Biden released his full budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 on May 28, 2021. The President's budget provides funding estimates and recommendations to Congress as it undertakes the appropriations process. The proposal seeks to eliminate border wall funding, boost spending for unaccompanied migrant children, and overhaul the way asylum is managed at the Mexican border, with increased staffing and oversight of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, the budget proposes:

$5 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a case management pilot program, administered by a national board and awarded to nonprofit organizations and local governments.
$4.4 billion for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, more than double the amount appropriated to ORR in FY 2021.
$345 million in direct funding for U.S. Customs and Immigration Services to address naturalization and asylum backlogs, support up to 125,000 refugee admissions in 2022, and allow for systems and operations modernization.
$861 million to address root causes in Central America of forced displacement and migration.
$891 million for the Executive Office of Immigration Review, a 21% increase, to reduce court backlogs and fund hiring of 100 new immigration judges and support teams.

Reminder: World Refugee Day

June 20th of each year marks World Refugee Day. As part of our preparation for the celebration, USCCB/MRS is partnering with Princeton University's Office of Religious Life and the Catholic Roundtable to organize a series of interfaith prayer services that will take place in ten to twelve dioceses across the country. These prayer services will be formally organized on the local level that will bring together religious leaders from the region and aim to pray with and for refugees. More information regarding the timing and location (most will be virtual) of the prayer services will be made available on JFI's World Refugee Day page as we get closer to the event. A revised World Refugee Day toolkit is also available.

In coordination with Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and the International Catholic Migration Commission, USCCB/MRS hosted a webinar on June 3 focused on rebuilding the resettlement program on both an international and national level. A recording of the webinar is available on the JFI website.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

Introduction to JustFaith Ministries, June 10, 2021, at 4 PM ET. JustFaith Ministries staff members will provide a meeting for anyone interested in learning about our Catholic Programming. The meeting will include tips about starting groups in your church or area, general information about the programs, and some time for Q&A. Register today!

Archdiocese of Chicago - Office of Human Dignity Webinar: Celebration of Our Diversity, May 16, 2021, at 7 PM CT. Register and join the Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago in this event in solidarity with the immigrant community.
Franciscan Action Network (FAN) Webinar: Fratelli Tutti on Governance and Politics, Jun 16, 2021, at 7 PM ET. Join this JFI core member-led webinar by registering online.

2021 Cambio de Colores 19th Annual Conference, June 16-19, 2021. Cambio de Colores, which focuses on the integration of Latinos/Hispanics and immigrants in new destinations, is hosting its 19th annual conference virtually with the theme "Embracing Differences and Empowering Communities." Learn more and register.

Jesuit Refugee Services World Refugee Day Celebration: Faster, Stronger, Higher, June 17, 2021 at 2 PM ET. On World Refugee Day 2021, we want to celebrate the resiliency, courage, and strength of our displaced brothers and sisters. Register and please join us for a live discussion on refugee mental wellbeing, athletics, and the celebration of refugee talent.

St. James Cathedral (Seattle, WA) Immigrant Assistance Program. We are a community where refugees and immigrants are valued and welcomed, and where they can find the support they need to fully participate in society and direct their own lives. Learn more about English as a second language (ESL) tutoring, citizenship preparation tutoring, naturalization application assistance, and elder integration. Call Christopher Koehler for more information: (206) 382-4511.

In Solidarity,

Tony Cube