JFI Week in Review - June 14th-18th, 2021

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

En el 9º Aniversario de DACA, el Presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB Reafirma la Necesidad de que el Congreso Actúe

El 15 de junio de 2012, el presidente Obama anunció que su administración había establecido un nuevo programa para detener las deportaciones de jóvenes inmigrantes que fueron llevados a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños, a menudo conocidos como "Dreamers". Bajo DACA, a estos Dreamers se les otorgaría permiso temporal para permanecer en el país. En reconocimiento del 9º aniversario de DACA, el obispo Mario Dorsonville, obispo auxiliar de Washington y presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB emitió una declaración reconociendo las contribuciones de los Dreamers y pidiendo al Congreso que proporcionara un alivio que debería haberse hecho hace mucho tiempo. Además, el obispo Dorsonville presentó un un testimonio escrito para una audiencia del 15 de junio de 2021 del Comité Judicial del Senado sobre el proyecto de ley H.R. 6, theAmerican Dream and Promise Act, que proporcionaría legalización y un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los Dreamers, entre otros.

USCCB Publica Declaración antes del Día Mundial de los Refugiados 2021

Hoy, 18 de junio de 2021, el Obispo Dorsonville emitió una declaración conmemorativa del Día Mundial de los Refugiados, que se celebra anualmente en los Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo el 20 de junio. En su declaración, el Obispo Dorsonville reconoció la difícil situación de los refugiados y otras personas desplazadas por la fuerza, afirmando la necesidad de "acoger con dignidad al refugiado y compartir las muchas bendiciones que disfrutamos como país". Más información sobre la celebración del Día Mundial de los Refugiados está disponible abajo.

ICE Anuncia la Línea de Participación y Servicios para Víctimas

El 11 de junio de 2021, el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que lanzaría la Línea de Participación y Servicios para Víctimas (VESL, por sus siglas en inglés) y terminaría la Oficina de Participación de Víctimas de Delitos de Inmigración (VOICE, por sus siglas en inglés): "El programa nuevo servirá como como un sistema de apoyo más completo e inclusivo para todas las víctimas, sin importar su estatus migratorio o el estatus migratorio del perpetrador. Esta incluye orientación sobre recursos disponibles relativos a las visas-U y -T e información sobre la Campaña Azul (Blue Campaign, en inglés) del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) para combatir la trata de personas." Se puede encontrar más información en https://www.ice.gov/es/vesl. Las personas que buscan información de apoyo a las víctimas pueden llamar al 1-833-383-1465.

Seminario Web de la RED Nacional Pastoral Migratoria: 23 de junio

El miércoles, 23 de junio a las 6:00PM CST, la RED Nacional de Pastoral Migratoria estará llevando a cabo un seminario web titulado: El Inmigrante y la Iglesia: Migración en la Nueva Realidad. RED Nacional Pastoral Migratoria (REDNPM) los invita a participar en este seminario web con el fin de informarse sobre los posibles desafíos y oportunidades en las leyes migratorias y aprender maneras pastorales para poner nuestra fe en acción. Puede registrarse para el seminario web con este enlace: bit.ly/2TFVH2j.

Bienvenida y Bendición

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

Panelistas

P. Guillermo Campuzano, CM - Vicepresidente de Misión y Ministerio, Universidad de Depaul; Michelle Sardone, Subdirectora de Programas, Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC); Celina Marquez, Consultora de Legislaciones, Justice for Immigrants/MRS, USCCB.

Inmigración y Su Parroquia de junio (cortesía de Pastoral Migratoria Nacional)

El día 15 de cada mes, Pastoral Migratoria Nacional envía por correo electrónico el boletín llamado Inmigración y su Parroquia (IySP), el cual está dirigido a sacerdotes y agentes pastorales. Este boletín está dividido en quince secciones: Noticias, Eventos, Recursos para Pastoral Migratoria, Recursos para la Pastoral Migratoria y la Comunidad, y El Video del Papa.

Nuestra edición de junio de 2021 incluye actualizaciones sobre Pastoral Migratoria Nacional y eventos e iniciativos diferentes en las diócesis que son parte de Pastoral Migratoria,detalles sobre la Semana Nacional de la Migración 2021, información sobre un seminario web titulado: El Inmigrante y la Iglesia: Migración en la Nueva Realidad, y otros recursos. Si desea recibir Inmigración y Su Parroquia por favor regístrese utilizando este enlace.

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

English Language Section

On Ninth Anniversary of DACA, USCCB Migration Chairman Reaffirms Need for Congress to Act

On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that his administration had established a new program to stop the deportations of young immigrants who were brought into the United States as children, often referred to as "Dreamers." Under DACA, these Dreamers would be granted temporary permission to stay in the country. In recognition of DACA's ninth anniversary, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, released a statement recognizing the contributions of Dreamers and calling on Congress to provide long overdue relief. Additionally, Bishop Dorsonville submitted written testimony for a June 15, 2021, hearing of the Senate Judiciary on H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide legalization and a path to citizenship for Dreamers, among others.

USCCB Releases Statement Ahead of World Refugee Day 2021

Today, June 18, 2021, Bishop Dorsonville issued a statement commemorating World Refugee Day, celebrated annually in the United States and around the world on June 20. In his statement, Bishop Dorsonville recognized the plight of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, affirming the need to "welcome the refugee with dignity and share the many blessings we enjoy as a country." More on how local communities are celebrating World Refugee Day is available below.

Catholic Bishops Call on Congress to Fix Immigration System After TPS Court Ruling

On June 10, 2021, two members of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami and Bishop Edward Weisenburger of Tucson, called on Congress to "stop kicking the can down the road" on immigration reform after a unanimous Supreme Court ruled that those immigrants receiving Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after entering the country illegally are ineligible to apply for "green cards" to stay in the country permanently. Their remarks were reported by Crux.

DHS and State Department Announce Expansion of CAM Program

On June 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State announced the expansion of the Central American Minors (CAM) program, which allows certain migrant children to reunite with family in the United States. As a result, legal guardians (in addition to parents) who are in the U.S. will now be able to petition for the program, pursuant to any of the following qualifying categories: lawful permanent residence; temporary protected status; parole; deferred action; deferred enforced departure; or withholding of removal. In addition, this expansion of eligibility will now include certain U.S.-based parents or legal guardians who have a pending asylum application or a pending U-visa petition filed before May 15, 2021. This begins the second phase of CAM's reopening since the Biden Administration first restarted the program on March 10, 2021.

Attorney General Garland Vacates Previous Immigration Decisions

On June 16, 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland vacated former attorney general decisions issued during the Trump Administration that limited access to asylum: Matter of A-B-I-, Matter of A-B-II, Matter of L-E-A-, and Matter of L-E-A-II. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta discussed the impact of this action in a June 16, 2021 memorandum.

ICE Announces Victims Engagement and Services Line

On June 11, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it would be launching the Victims Engagement and Services Line (VESL) and terminating the Victim Of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office: "The new program will serve as a more comprehensive and inclusive victim support system offered by ICE that will ensure services are offered to all victims regardless of immigration status of the victim or perpetrator. The expanded services provided through VESL will include guidance on available U- and T-visa resources and information about the [DHS] Blue Campaign to counter human trafficking." More information can be found at www.ice.gov/VESL. Individuals seeking victim support information may call 1-833-383-1465.

CBP Releases Operational Update for May 2021

On June 9, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its operational update for the month of May. CBP encountered 180,034 persons attempting entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. This total represented a 1% increase over April 2021. However, the number of unaccompanied children and single minors from Northern Triangle countries dropped by 23%, with 10,765 encounters in May, compared with 13,940 in April. CBP continues to expel single adults and family units that are encountered pursuant to CDC guidance under Title 42. The update notes that 62% of all May encounters resulted in a Title 42 expulsion. This has has contributed to a larger-than-usual number of noncitizens making multiple border crossing attempts: 38% of encounters in May 2021 were individuals who had at least one prior encounter during the previous twelve months, compared to an average one-year re-encounter rate of 15% for Fiscal Years 2014-2019.

Facilities for Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Texas

On June 7, 2021, shortly after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an emergency proclamation directing the state's Health and Human Services Commission to discontinue licensure of child care facilities providing shelter to undocumented immigrants in Texas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wrote to the governor seeking clarification on some of the terms of the proclamation and stated that it would be prepared to seek all available forms of relief. HHS requested a reply by June 11. On June 17, HHS wrote to Governor Abbott a second time-the letter acknowledges receipt of a reply from the governor and notes confirmation that the 52 shelters with federal contracts will no longer receive licenses. Further, the letter seeks answers to 25 questions related to the proclamation and the effects of discontinuing licensure.

Biden Administration Releases Summary of Actions to Address Challenges at the Southern Border

On June 15, 2021, the White House released a summary of actions it's taken to date to establish "a well-managed and secure border while also treating people fairly and humanely."

Reminder: Celebrate World Refugee Day

USCCB/MRS, in coordination with the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and Princeton University's Office of Religious Life, is helping to organize and support interfaith prayer services for and with refugees on or around World Refugee Day (June 20, 2021). Each service will be conducted by a local network, coalition or resettlement site that has chosen to participate. Many are being hosted over Zoom, which enables individuals from across the country to participate. For more information on the location and timing of these sites, please visit the Justice for Immigrants webpage.

National Network of Pastoral Migratoria (REDNPM) Webinar in Spanish, The Immigrant and the Church: Migration in the New Reality

On June 23, 2021, at 6 PM CST, REDNPM will be holding a webinar in Spanish entitled: The Immigrant and the Church: Migration in the New Reality.

We know how important it is to be informed on and up-to-date with the challenges and opportunities in the current immigration laws. We encourage all diocesan and parish leaders to invite everyone who can take advantage of hearing from our presenter/panelists. Please visit bit.ly/2TFVH2j to register.

June 25th is the Day of the Seafarer

Over 1.5 million seafarers work on ships that bring goods and medicine to ports in the United States and around the world. Their work is critical to our personal and economic health. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the industry hard. As governments around the world have closed their borders to contain the coronavirus, many of these seafarers are restricted from leaving their vessels.

Hundreds of thousands of seafarers caught up in this crisis are enduring extreme hardship. Some have had their contracts extended, often against their will. Many are unable to return to their homes. Seafarers working on ships around the world are mostly invisible heroes. Their labor brings 90% of raw materials, food, medicine, and other products to U.S. ports. Without seafarers, the global economy would, quite literally, be sunk!

The Coalition of Catholic Organizations against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) is committed to raising awareness about the plight of seafarers around the world and to advocating for policies and assistance that will prevent labor trafficking of this vulnerable population.

Please join CCOAHT-along with Stella Maris and Apostleship of the Sea USA-on Friday, June 25, 2021, at noon ET for our webinar, Catholic in Solidarity with Seafarers: The Price They Pay for Our Wellbeing. Register here to:

Hear stories of danger, loneliness, and resilience from seafarers and those who minister to them;
Learn about the critical role the men and women who work on the water play in ensuring that we have food to eat, clothes on our backs, and raw materials to fuel our economy; and
Join us in action to protect the rights of seafarers and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

Pastoral Migratoria (Archdiocese of Chicago) Vacancy: National Leadership Formation Coordinator, open until filled. This position will coordinate the development and implementation of the leadership formation program for National Pastoral Migratoria (NPM) in immigrant parish communities across the U.S. Pastoral Migratoria (PM) is an immigrant leadership ministry of service, justice, and accompaniment in parish communities. Read more and apply on the archdiocese's website.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman's Webinar Series: Naturalization and Immigrant Integration, June 23, 2021, at 3 PM ET. The CIS Ombudsman invites stakeholders to participate in a webinar to learn more about naturalization and immigrant integration. During this engagement, CIS Ombudsman Phyllis Coven will be joined by Felicia Escobar Carrillo, chief of staff for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Katherine Culliton-González, DHS officer for civil rights and civil liberties, to discuss highlights of the federal government's interagency strategy to promote naturalization and immigrant integration. CIS Ombudsman staff will engage in a dialogue with USCIS representatives on naturalization and immigrant integration initiatives and available resources for immigrant-serving organizations. RSVP required.
FREE CLINIC Webinar: Understanding and Screening for Statelessness, June 25, 2021 at 2 PM ET. Statelessness, the situation where a person is not recognized by any State as a citizen, is an often overlooked or misunderstood issue that has devastating impacts on millions of people around the world. Join CLINIC and United Stateless, an organization led by stateless people dedicated to providing support and pioneering solutions for the stateless in the U.S., for a presentation on the causes of statelessness, the obstacles faced by stateless people, the known data on statelessness, and how immigrant defenders can screen for statelessness. Learn more and register.

Irish Community Services (Chicago, IL) Remote Citizenship Education Class, July 6, 2021, at 6 PM CT. Course participants will learn about the application process and citizenship eligibility, reading and writing preparation, interview preparation and more. The class is FREE and study materials are provided. Call (773) 282-8445 for more information and to register.

Social Action Summer Institute (SASI), July 14-15, 2021. Registration is still open for Virtual SASI 2021, Mercy and Mental Health: Strengthening Our Pastoral Response. Programming will examine mental health issues through the lens of mercy and justice and how the Catholic Church can be at the center of a pastoral response. Register here for this event sponsored by JFI core member organization Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in New York State. Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) is assisting clients by providing help with applications to New York's ERAP program. We are also conducting outreach and education to tenants and landlords across Manhattan. CCCS has also partnered with four other New York City community-based organizations to reach as many tenants and landlords as possible to share more about the program and provide application assistance. Call the Catholic Charities Helpline at (888) 744-7900 for more information.

Happy Father's Day,

Tony Cube