JFI Week in Review - September 6th - 10th, 2021

JFI Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from the JFI Campaign.

Sección en español de la Semana en Revisión

Los Presidentes del Comité de Migración de la USCCB Envían Recomendaciones sobre el Próximo Proyecto de Ley de Reconciliación

El 7 de septiembre de 2021, el obispo Mario E. Dorsonville, presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, junto con otros cuatro presidentes de los comités de la USCCB, enviaron una carta al Congreso, detallando las esperanzas de los obispos de los Estados Unidos para el proyecto de ley de reconciliación, que los comités del Congreso están trabajando actualmente para redactar. Entre la miríada de recomendaciones, la carta reafirma los llamados anteriores de los obispos para que se incluyan disposiciones en el proyecto de ley que proporcionarían un estatus legal y un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los Dreamers, los beneficiarios del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS por sus siglas en inglés), los beneficiarios de la Salida Forzosa Diferida (DED por sus siglas en inglés), los trabajadores agrícolas indocumentados y otros trabajadores esenciales indocumentados. Esto va acompañado de una serie de esfuerzos recientes y en curso por parte de la USCCB para abogar por tales disposiciones. Se espera que las disposiciones del proyecto de ley de reconciliación se completen la próxima semana, y se espera que la Cámara de Representantes vote sobre el proyecto de ley poco después.

Un Mejor Tipo De Politica: Conversando Civilazadmente

Como Iglesia y como Nación, estamos polarizados y divididos. El Papa Francisco nos recuerda que debemos responder construyendo "un mejor tipo de política, una que verdaderamente al servicio del bien común" (Fratelli Tutti, n.154).

Estamos llamados a vencer la división, promover encuentros con nuestros prójimos, y buscar la verdad. Unase a católicos y personas de buena voluntad en todo el país a vivir "un mejor tipo de política" comprometiéndose a la caridad, claridad y creatividad para promover el bien común.

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics es una iniciativa no partidista de la Conferencia Episcopal de Obispo de los Estados Unidos que tiene como objetivo asistir a los católicos a un encuentro de polarización y división de la Iglesia y la sociedad siguiendo el ejemplo del Buen Samaritano, quien nos reta a "convertirnos a un mejor prójimo para todos" (Fratelli Tutti n.80).

Junto a el compromiso a la caridad, claridad y creatividad; los materiales bilingües (inglés y español) que incluye: Examen de conciencia, guía de reflexiones individuales o de comunidad, pasos a seguir, etc, están ahora disponibles para empoderar a personas individuales, familias, y comunidades para construir puentes sobre diferentes perspectivas. Acompáñanos en el movimiento para construir "un mejor tipo de política" y responder creativamente a los problemas del mundo de hoy en civilizeit.org.

Recordatorio para la Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado 2021

La Semana Nacional de la Migración 2021 se celebrará el 20-26 de septiembre, y culminará con la celebración del Vaticano de la Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado (WDMR por sus siglas en inglés), que siempre se celebra el último domingo de septiembre. El tema principal para la Jornada Mundial de este año es "Hacia un 'nosotros' cada vez más grande". En su carta anunciando el tema de este año, el Papa Francisco enfatiza que "este enfoque nos llama a asegurarnos de que 'después de todo esto, ya no pensaremos en términos de 'ellos' y 'aquellos', sino solo en 'nosotros'' (Fratelli tutti, no. 35). Y este nosotros universal debe convertirse en una realidad en primer lugar dentro de la Iglesia que está llamada a cultivar la comunión en la diversidad".

En solidaridad con el Vaticano, la Semana Nacional de la Migración utilizará el mismo tema que la Jornada Mundial - "Hacia un "'nosotros' cada vez más grande" - pero enfatizará las formas particulares en que este tema y su aplicación a la cuestión de la migración es importante para la Iglesia Católica en los Estados Unidos. Por favor visite tinyurl.com/nationalMigrationWeek2021 para obtener más información.

Marque sus Calendarios: Misa para Migrantes y Refugiados que Se Celebrará en Washington, D.C. el 26 de Septiembre

En nombre del obispo Dorsonville, obispo auxiliar de Washington, y monseñor. W. Ronald Jameson, V.F., rector de la catedral, lo invitamos a unirse a nosotros para la Misa en la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol en Washington, D.C., el 26 de septiembre de 2021, a las 5:30 PM para orar por las comunidades de migrantes y refugiados de los Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo. El obispo Dorsonville también le pide su ayuda para compartir esta información con otros para que puedan asistir y unirse a la oración por estas comunidades. Todos son bienvenidos. Consulte los folletos del evento en inglés o español para obtener más información.

¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir?

Favor de enviarlos a Celina Marquez y nosotros los promovemos.

English Language Section

Update: USCCB Continues to Assist in Resettlement of Afghans

USCCB/MRS is assisting in the relocation of Afghans and is partnering with the U.S. government and other non-governmental organizations in this work. A page has been added to the JFI website with information and resources relevant to Afghanistan and the relocation of Afghans to the United States. This page is updated regularly.

USCCB Chairmen Send Recommendations on Forthcoming Reconciliation Bill

On September 7, 2021, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, along with four other chairmen of USCCB committees, sent a letter to Congress, detailing the U.S. bishops' hopes for the reconciliation bill, which congressional committees are currently working to draft. Among the myriad of recommendations, the letter reaffirms the bishops' prior calls for provisions to be included in the bill that would provide legal status and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries, undocumented agricultural workers, and other undocumented essential workers. This is accompanied by a series of recent and ongoing efforts by the USCCB to advocate for such provisions. The provisions of the reconciliation bill are expected to be completed by next week, and a vote on the bill by the full House is expected shortly thereafter.

President Biden Submits Anomaly Request for Fiscal Year 2022 Continuing Resolution

On September 7, 2021, the President provided "technical assistance" to Congress on the anticipated continuing resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year 2022. A CR is a temporary measure used by Congress to extend the current year's appropriations, which end on September 30, avoiding a partial government shutdown and giving lawmakers more time to enact appropriations for the new fiscal year. Otherwise known as an "anomaly request", this guidance from the Administration provides language and funding levels for the continuing resolution, along with explanations for why they are needed. Among the many migration-related requests included is language that would make Afghan nationals paroled into the U.S. eligible for refugee benefits and legal permanent resident (LRP) status after a year in the country. USCCB/MRS, together with other USCCB offices, will be engaging on the CR as part of its broader work on the appropriations process. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

JFI Action Alert: No More Delay: Positive Immigration Reform Needed Today

If you have not already done so, please view, complete, and share this action alert related to the budget reconciliation efforts underway in Congress. There is a very real opportunity to secure legal status and a path to citizenship for millions of our undocumented brothers and sisters, but we need your voice and support to help make it happen.

Reminder: National Migration Week and the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021

National Migration Week 2021 takes place September 20-26 and will climax with the Vatican's celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), which always falls on the last Sunday of September. The primary theme for this year's WDMR is "Towards an ever wider 'we'". In his letter announcing this year's theme, Pope Francis emphasized that "this focus calls on us to ensure that 'after all this, we will think no longer in terms of 'them' and 'those,' but only 'us'' (Fratelli tutti, no. 35). And this universal us must become a reality first of all within the Church which is called to cultivate communion in diversity."

In solidarity with the Vatican, National Migration Week will use the same theme as WDMR-"Towards an ever wider 'we'"-but will emphasize the particular ways in which this theme and its application to the migration question are important for the Catholic Church in the United States. Please be sure to visit

tinyurl.com/NationalMigrationWeek2021 for more information.

Mark Your Calendars: Mass for Migrants and Refugees to be Celebrated in Washington, D.C., on September 26

On behalf of Bishop Dorsonville and Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, V.F., rector of the cathedral, we invite you to join us for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., on September 26, 2021, at 5:30 PM to pray for the migrant and refugee communities of the United States and across the world. Bishop Dorsonville also asks for your help in sharing this information with others so they can attend and join in prayer for these communities. All are welcome. Please see the event flyers in English or Spanish for more information.

National Migration Week Webinar: The Church & Migration in the U.S.
September 20, 2021 at 12:30 PM PT

With gratitude to the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Office of Human Life & Dignity, you are invited to join USCCB/MRS and Hope Border Institute representatives for this webinar to learn more about contemporary issues on migration to the U.S. and how the Catholic church's teachings are an effective response. Please register at https://sfarch.org/immigration/. Here is the webinar flyer:

USCCB Launches Initiative Inspired by Fratelli Tutti to Counter Polarization and Division

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics is a nonpartisan initiative from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that seeks to assist Catholics to counter polarization and division in Church and society by following the example of the Good Samaritan, who challenges us to "become neighbors to all" (Fratelli Tutti, no. 80).

Publicly launched on September 7, 2021, Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics invites participants to pledge charity, clarity, and creativity to promote the common good and additional materials, including an examination of conscience, individual and communal reflection guides, action steps, and more, are available to empower individuals, families, and communities to be bridge builders across perspectives.

Join this work to build "a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good" (Fratelli Tutti, no. 154) by signing up to be a launch partner and you will receive access to the materials you need to bring Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics to your community.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Interfaith Prayer Service on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, September 11, 2021, at 3 PM ET. Pax Christi USA is co-sponsoring a memorial prayer service for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Get more information about the virtual event on Pax Christi USA's Facebook page.
Faith In Action: National Catholic Action for Citizenship, Monday September 13, 2021, at 5 PM PT. Here is the registration link: bit.ly/CatholicAction4Citizenship. The event flyer is below:
Center for Migration Studies (CMS) Webinar: Tax Equality for Immigrants and Child Poverty, September 15, 2021, at 2 PM ET. This event will explore the unequal treatment of citizens and non-citizens in the U.S. tax system and how it impacts the plans to combat child poverty now under debate in Congress. Register for the webinar.
Catholic Charities USA Webinar: Increasing Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Through Community Partnerships, September 16, 2021, at 2 PM ET. This webinar will introduce integration basics, such as common terminology and characteristics of effective integration programming. The presenter will also cover how to acquire this data. Examples of types of community partnerships for nonprofits, such as with city government, local parishes, volunteers, and other nonprofits, will be explored. The trainer will provide recommendations on characteristics to look for in a partner, ideas for integration programming for each type of partnership, and ways to manage a partnership so that it accomplishes its desired objectives. Advance registration is required.
Catholic National Migration Week: Living the Gospel by Welcoming the Stranger: How Can I Become Involved? A Virtual Panel Discussion, September 20, 2021, at 8 PM ET. With the humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and at our southern border, the St. Margaret of Scotland Living Justice Ministries Immigration Team invites you to join us for a virtual presentation to learn more about the individuals and families arriving from these places to St. Louis and how we can help. Please register for this webinar today.

Interfaith Immigration Coalition Webinar: Faith Voices Call for Citizenship, September 20, 2021, at 4 PM ET. This webinar will share updates on Congress' budget reconciliation process, who could get covered by the path to citizenship that has been included in the budget resolution, and how you can take action now to get citizenship for all across the finish line.

JustFaith Ministries 20th Anniversary Celebration Event, September 23, 2021, at 7 PM ET. Come celebrate with the entire JustFaith community, and hear stories of the work graduates are doing in the communities around them. Meet the winner of the Mary and Gary Becker Social Justice Award, and hear an exciting announcement from Susie Tierney, Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries, and a message from Jack Jezreel, Founder of JustFaith Ministries. You won't want to miss this final event! Register today.
Kino Border Initiative (KBI) and Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN): Solidarity with Migrants this Fall, September 25, 2021. Inspired by migrants organizing to save asylum in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, the ISN has joined the call of KBI and #SaveAsylum coalition to come together in solidarity this Fall to call for the restoration of asylum protections. If you are near the border, you can participate in Nogales on Sept. 25th for the main event, or you can organize a solidarity event in your community on that day. Learn more on the event website.