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JFI Week in Review - June 28th-July 2nd, 2021
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Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,
In advance of the upcoming holiday weekend, you are receiving the Week in Review
a day early. Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión
Obispos Católicos, Otros Líderes Se Reúnen sobre Migración
Del 1 al 2 de junio de 2021, un grupo de obispos católicos de Estados Unidos, México
y Centroamérica se reunieron [[link removed]]
en el Seminario Mundelein fuera de Chicago para discutir las respuestas pastorales
a la migración desde América Latina. También participaron líderes de organizaciones
católicas y otros expertos en el tema de la migración, así como representantes del
Vaticano. El tema de la reunión fue "Hacia un "nosotros" cada vez más grande", basado
en el tema de este año para la Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado [[link removed]].
Durante la reunión, el obispo Mario Dorsonville, presidente del Comité de Migración
de la USCCB, ofreció una reflexión sobre las causas fundamentales de la migración,
señalando los muchos desafíos que hacen que las personas migren, incluyendo la violencia,
la persecución y la corrupción. El obispo Mark Seitz de El Paso alentó a las diócesis
"a ver cómo sus iglesias podrían participar en la hermosa experiencia de dar la
bienvenida a los migrantes y compartir sus historias". El Cardenal Michael Czerny,
S.J., subsecretario de la Sección de Migrantes y Refugiados del Vaticano, habló
sobre la caracterización de la Iglesia por parte del Papa Francisco como "el custodio
de una visión unificadora de la humanidad".
Las oportunidades potenciales para la acción colectiva se dividieron en tres áreas:
dar la bienvenida a las personas en movimiento; abordar las causas profundas y ampliar
la protección de los solicitantes de asilo; y abogar por ampliar las enseñanzas
morales de la Iglesia sobre la migración. Al concluir la reunión, los participantes
se comprometieron a un proceso continuo de discernimiento y colaboración para garantizar
una respuesta fuerte y unificada de la Iglesia a la situación migratoria.
Un resumen de la reunión fue proporcionado a todo el cuerpo de obispos en una presentación
por el obispo Dorsonville y el obispo Seitz durante la asamblea general de primavera
de la USCCB. En esa misma presentación, el obispo Dorsonville reiteró la necesidad
urgente de una reforma migratoria, especialmente la legalización de los miembros
indocumentados de nuestra sociedad.
La Vicepresidenta Harris Se Reúne con Líderes Católicos en la Frontera
Durante su visita a El Paso el 25 de junio de 2021, la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris
se reuni [[link removed]]ó
[[link removed]]
con el obispo Seitz, así como con otros líderes religiosos y representantes de organizaciones
sin fines de lucro. El obispo Seitz habló sobre el importante papel que desempeña
el acompañamiento en el trabajo de la Iglesia a lo largo de la frontera, así como
la necesidad de cooperación entre el gobierno federal y la sociedad civil. Dylan
Corbett, director ejecutivo de Hope Border Institute, también estuvo presente en
la reunión. La vicepresidenta estuvo acompañada en su viaje por el secretario de
seguridad nacional de los Estados Unidos, Alejandro Mayorkas, el senador Dick Durbin
de Illinois y la representante Verónica Escobar de Texas. La vicepresidenta Harris
visitó una instalación de procesamiento de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza
de los Estados Unidos, visitó un área de selección para solicitantes de asilo en
el Puerto de Entrada de Paso del Norte y se detuvo en un concurrido cruce fronterizo
peatonal. La vicepresidenta ha sido encargada de dirigir la respuesta de la Administración
a la migración desde Centroamérica.
DHS Amplía los Criterios de Elegibilidad para el Procesamiento de Aquellos que Estaban
Anteriormente Inscritos en MPP
El 23 de junio de 2021, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los Estados Unidos
(DHS por sus siglas en inglés) anunci [[link removed]]ó
[[link removed]]
que está ampliando el grupo de personas previamente inscritas en los Protocolos
de Protección al Migrante (MPP por sus siglas en inglés) que son elegibles para
ser procesados en los Estados Unidos. A partir de esa fecha, DHS incluye a aquellos
que estaban inscritos en MPP y que tuvieron sus casos terminados o recibieron órdenes
de expulsión en ausencia (es decir, las personas no estuvieron presentes en sus
audiencias judiciales). DHS continuará procesando en los Estados Unidos a aquellos
que estaban inscritos en MPP con casos pendientes. La Administración ha aconsejado
a las personas elegibles que permanezcan donde se encuentran actualmente y se registren
en línea a través de [link removed] [[link removed]].
La Iglesia Cree en la Unidad Familiar, Lo Cual Incluye a los Niños en la Frontera

El obispo Mario Dorsonvillle de la Arquidiócesis de Washington escribió en El Pregonero
(el periódico en español de la Arquidiócesis de Washington) sobre la situación humanitaria
en la frontera sur de los Estados Unidos y cómo el ministerio de la Iglesia Católica
para los inmigrantes y refugiados surge de nuestra creencia de que cada ser humano
ha sido creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios. También el obispo dice que, "seguiremos
respondiendo a su difícil situación promoviendo una respuesta inspirada en Cristo
para acoger y proteger a quienes lo necesitan, y apoyando medidas destinadas a mitigar
la pobreza, la violencia y la corrupción que empujan a las familias a emigrar en
primer lugar". Para leer todo del mensaje del obispo puede visitar este enlace
[[link removed]]
aquí.

¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir? Favor de enviarlos
a Sarah Hoff [mailto:[email protected]] y nosotros los promovemos.
English Language Section
Next JFI National Call and Forthcoming Action Alert
Please join us on July 15, 2021 at 2 PM Eastern for the next Justice for Immigrants
National Call. On the call, we will share the latest policy and legislative updates
as well as provide information about an upcoming JFI national action alert. Call-in
information and an agenda will be sent in a separate email. We look forward to joining
you on the national call!
Catholic Bishops, Other Leaders Hold International Meeting on Migration
On June 1-2, 2021, a group of Catholic bishops from the United States, Mexico, and
Central America met [[link removed]]
at Mundelein Seminary outside of Chicago to discuss pastoral responses to migration
from Latin America. Also participating were leaders from Catholic organizations
and other experts on the topic of migration, as well as Vatican representatives.
The theme of the meeting was "A Wider We", based on this year's theme for the World
Day of Migrants and Refugees [[link removed]].
During the meeting, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB's Committee
on Migration, provided a reflection on the root causes of migration, noting the
many challenges that cause people to migrate, including violence, persecution, and
corruption. Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso encouraged dioceses"to see how your churches
might participate in the beautiful experience of welcoming migrants and sharing
their stories." Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., under-secretary of the Vatican's
Migrants and Refugees Section, discussed Pope Francis' characterization of the Church
as "the custodian of a unifying vision of humanity."
Potential opportunities for collective action were divided into three areas: welcoming
people on the move; addressing root causes and expanding protections for asylum
seekers; and advocacy to amplify the Church's moral teachings on migration. At the
conclusion of the meeting, participants committed to an ongoing process of discernment
and collaboration to ensure a strong, unified response by the Church to the migration
situation.
A summary of the meeting was provided to the full body of bishops in a presentation
by Bishop Dorsonville and Bishop Seitz during the USCCB's spring general assembly.
In that same presentation, Bishop Dorsonville reiterated the urgent need for immigration
reform, especially legalization of the undocumented members of our society.
Vice President Harris Meets with Catholic Leaders at the Border
During her visit to El Paso on June 25, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris met [[link removed]]
with Bishop Seitz, as well as other faith leaders and representatives of nonprofits.
Bishop Seitz discussed the important role that accompaniment plays in the Church's
work along the border, as well as the need for cooperation between the federal government
and civil society. Dylan Corbett, executive director of Hope Border Institute, was
also present at the meeting. The Vice President was joined on her trip by U.S. Secretary
of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Representative
Veronica Escobar of Texas. Vice President Harris toured a U.S. Customs and Border
Protection processing facility, visited a screening area for asylum applicants at
the Paso del Norte Port of Entry, and stopped at a busy pedestrian border crossing.
The Vice President has been tasked with leading the Administration's response to
migration from Central America.
U.S. Catholic Bishops' Migration Chairman Responds to Outcome of Supreme Court Case
on MPP
On June 21, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States dismissed [[link removed]]
Mayorkas v. Innovation Law Lab and ordered that the lower court's judgement be vacated
as moot. Additionally, the Court denied a motion to intervene filed by the States
of Texas, Missouri, and Arizona. The case challenged the legality of the Migrant
Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Under
MPP, first implemented in 2019, asylum seekers were returned to Mexico to await
adjudication of their cases, where they regularly faced dangerous and inhumane conditions.
The Court's decision follows the formal termination of the program by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security on June 1, 2021.
On January 22, 2021, the USCCB, together with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network,
Inc. (CLINIC), and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), filed an amicus curiae brief
[[link removed]]
in Mayorkas v. Innovation Law Lab.
Bishop Dorsonville released a statement [[link removed]]
in response to the Court's decision, calling for our "nation to welcome the newcomer
and respond to those in need with Christ-like compassion," which includes "ending
the misuse of Title 42 to turn away vulnerable asylum seekers, addressing the root
causes of migration, and reforming our bogged down immigration system."
DHS Expands Eligibility Criteria for Processing of Former MPP Enrollees
On June 23, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced [[link removed]]
that it is expanding the pool of individuals previously enrolled in the Migrant
Protection Protocols (MPP) who are eligible for processing into the United States.
As of that date, DHS is including MPP enrollees who had their cases terminated or
received orders of removal in absentia (i.e., individuals were not present at their
court hearings). DHS will continue to process into the United States MPP enrollees
with pending cases. The Administration has advised eligible individuals to stay
where they are currently located and register online through [link removed]
[[link removed]].
Biden Administration Announces Plans to Evacuate Certain Afghan Nationals Ahead
of U.S. Military Withdrawal
On June 24, 2021, President Joe Biden pledged [[link removed]]
to relocate thousands of Afghans to other countries or U.S. territories while their
visa applications are processed. Those included in the evacuation are Afghans who
worked for the U.S. government, such as translators, and their families. This is
expected to occur sometime in the next couple of months. The Administration plans
to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. Since 2009, Congress
has authorized Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for certain Afghan nationals who have
assisted the United States. More information is available from the U.S. Department
of State [[link removed]]
and on the JFI website [[link removed]].
HHS Prepares to Close Multiple Emergency Intake Sites for Unaccompanied Children
On June 28, 2021, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier
Becerra, announced [[link removed]]
that the agency is weighing the closure of the Emergency Intake Site at Fort Bliss
in Texas, among others. The news comes in the wake of reports [[link removed]]
and court filings [[link removed]]
that detail concerning conditions for children at these sites.
New Report from USCCB/MRS and The Catholic University of America's Immigrant and
Refugee Advocacy Clinic: A Vision Forward: Policies Needed to Protect the Best
Interests of "Category 4" Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
USCCB/MRS partnered with the Columbus School of Law's Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy
Clinic (IRAC) [[link removed]]
at The Catholic University of America on an urgent new report calling attention
to the needs of unaccompanied migrant children without sponsors in the United States.
A Vision Forward: Policies Needed to Protect the Best Interests of "Category 4"
Unaccompanied Immigrant Children [[link removed]]
explores the current system for protecting unaccompanied children whom the government
has determined do not have viable sponsors.
This report highlights the flaws in the system of care for unaccompanied children,
particularly for Category 4 youth. It highlights ways in which the federal custody
system for unaccompanied children without sponsors departs from foundational child
welfare principles underlying the U.S. child welfare system. This report's recommendations
urge policy makers to better protect the best interests of Category 4 children in
U.S. government care. Recommendations include:

*
Improving data collection;
*
Reducing reliance on large-scale congregate housing;
*
Prioritizing and incentivizing individualized, family placements;
*
Streamlining the process of referring children into family- and community-based
care;
*
Increasing funding to meet the educational, social, and health needs of Category
4 children;
*
Streamlining the process for determining legal status;
*
Ending detention of youth who age out of foster care at 18;
*
Expanding supportive independent living opportunities for unaccompanied youth ages
18-21.
While the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) released updated guidance concerning
expanded eligibility for Category 4 youth as this report was being published, significant
and permanent changes are still needed. Now is the time to implement policies incentivizing
continuity of care, facilitating expeditious resolution of legal claims, and requiring
that children who age out of ORR custody are not transferred to adult detention
but, instead, continue to receive care and supportive independent living assistance
as they transition into young adulthood.
Please join us for a webinar to learn more about the report and its recommendations:

* When: July 21 at 3:00 PM EST
* Where: [link removed] [[link removed]]
(Zoom)
Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

* Ongoing: Talk to an Immigration Attorney, Sponsored by Catholic Charities - Tompkins
Tioga (NY). Call Sue Chaffee, (607) 272-5062 (ext. 11), to make an appointment.

* Citizenship Class, July 3, 2021 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church (Houston,
TX) at 10 AM. This class will be in person. Due to COVID-19, pre-registration [[link removed]]
is required.
* Catholic Charities - Diocese of Venice (FL) FREE Social Services Clinic, July
10, 2021, at 10 AM. If you need assistance with immigration, housing, financial
assistance, or SNAP and food benefits, we'll be available to answer questions and
provide support. Services will be available in English and Spanish. All are welcome.
Please call (239) 334-4007 for more information.

* Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri Refugee Resettlement Orientation:
Welcoming the Newcomer, July 14, 2021, at 5:30 PM. Learn about refugees from around
the world and how you can get involved. Call Diana Twombly at (573) 442-7568 for
more information.

* Catholic Climate Covenant and Creighton University Invitation: Laudato Si' and
the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home, July 13-15, 2021.
Registration [[link removed]]is
now open for this conference headlined by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.
Happy Independence Day,
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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