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JFI Week in Review - October 18th-22nd, 2021

JFI Colleagues,

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

New Presidential Determination Issued

On October 8, 2021, the Biden Administration announced a Fiscal Year 2022 Presidential Determination (PD) of 125,000 refugees for resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This is the highest PD since 1993 and follows four consecutive years of historic lows. During the previous fiscal year, which ended on September 30, the U.S. resettled only 11,411 refugees out of a possible 62,500, the lowest number in the program’s history.

In response to the PD’s release, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement, commending the Biden Administration for “seeking to reassert American leadership in this area” and urging Congress “to provide the resources necessary to not only rebuild the Refugee Admissions Program but sustain it for the next four decades and beyond.”

During the previous fiscal year, the USCCB’s network resettled more refugees than any of the other eight national resettlement agencies and assisted the second highest number of Iraqi/Afghan special immigrants—a testament to the enduring commitment of Catholic organizations, communities, and persons working in this area.

USCCB/MRS Continues Serving Afghans in Multiple Capacities

In addition to its role as one of the nine national resettlement agencies in the United States, USCCB/MRS has broadened its partnership with the U.S. government and other non-governmental organizations to include providing services at all eight domestic military bases hosting Afghan nationals. This work, assisted by Catholic Charities, is expected to continue for as long as the bases are used for processing Afghans before they proceed to their final destinations in the United States. The JFI Afghanistan Resource Page also continues to be updated regularly and contains information for both Afghans and the general public.

United States to Ease COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in November

On October 12, 2021, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that foreign nationals traveling from Canada and Mexico who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have the appropriate documentation will be allowed to enter the United States at land borders and ferry crossings for non-essential purposes beginning in November. This follows a September 20 announcement by the Biden Administration that it will also relax restrictions on air travel in November for non-essential foreign nationals who are vaccinated. At the same time, the Administration has not announced any plans to end or alter its ongoing use of Title 42 to expel asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Budget Reconciliation Bill Remains Stalled as Third Immigration-Related Proposal Undergoes Consideration

The forthcoming budget reconciliation bill remains delayed as Democrats in the House and Senate debate its contents. Following rulings by the Senate Parliamentarian on the first two proposals that would have provided legalization and a pathway to citizenship to members of the undocumented population (which were deemed not to comport with the Senate’s Byrd Rule), a third immigration-related proposal is being pursued. This third option—referred to as “Plan C”—would provide parole to an estimated seven to eight million undocumented persons, granting them lawful presence in the United States, as well as work authorization and access to certain public benefits and services. The parole would be for an initial period of five years and renewable for an additional five years for a total possible duration of ten years. Beneficiaries of this program would then need to pursue a permanent immigration status (i.e., get a “green card”) through an existing program; otherwise, Congress would have to enact further relief for this population to prevent beneficiaries from returning to unlawful status once their parole expires. The future of this proposal remains uncertain, as it has not yet been presented to the Parliamentarian.

The USCCB remains engaged with members of Congress on this issue. If you haven’t already, you can still view, complete, and share this JFI action alert related to the ongoing budget reconciliation efforts.

DHS Sets Timeline for Resuming Migrant Protection Protocols

On October 14, 2021, the Biden Administration laid out its plans to restart the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico”, by mid-November. On September 29, DHS announced that it intends to issue in the coming weeks a new memorandum terminating MPP. Secretary Mayorkas previously issued a memorandum in June terminating the program, but a federal district court vacated it and issued an injunction requiring DHS to work “in good faith” to restart the program. DHS has filed an appeal in that case, though it is currently working to comply with the court’s order, as demonstrated in its October 14 court filing. It also remains unclear how MPP and Title 42 will intersect with one another.

In his most recent statement on MPP, Bishop Dorsonville referred to the policy as “contrary to our laws and morals.” USCCB/MRS maintains its opposition to MPP and will keep advocating for its full and final termination.

Keep Hope Alive 2021:

A Virtual Benefit to Support the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Local Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria

USCCB/MRS is thrilled to be a presenting sponsor for this year’s Keep Hope Alive virtual benefit. Please see this flyer for more information on it and how you can be involved.

Please check out other upcoming events, opportunities, and resources below the Spanish section.

Sección en Español

Nueva determinación presidencial emitida

El 8 de octubre de 2021, la Administración Biden anunció una Determinación Presidencial (PD) para el año fiscal 2022 de 125,000 refugiados para el reasentamiento a través del Programa de Admisión de Refugiados de EE. UU. (USRAP). Esta es la PD más alta desde 1993 y sigue cuatro años consecutivos de mínimos históricos. Durante el año fiscal anterior, que terminó el 30 de septiembre, Estados Unidos reasentó solo a 11,411 refugiados de un posible 62,500, el número más bajo en la historia del programa. En respuesta a la liberación del PD, el obispo Mario Dorsonville, presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, emitió una declaración en la que elogiaba a la Administración Biden por "buscar reafirmar el liderazgo estadounidense en esta área" e instaba al Congreso a "proporcionar los recursos necesarios no solo para reconstruir el Programa de Admisión de Refugiados pero mantenerlo durante las próximas cuatro décadas y más allá ".

Durante el año fiscal anterior, la red de la USCCB reasentó a más refugiados que cualquiera de las otras ocho agencias nacionales de reasentamiento y ayudó al segundo mayor número de inmigrantes especiales iraquíes / afganos, un testimonio del compromiso duradero de las organizaciones católicas, las comunidades y las personas que trabajan en esta área.

Estados Unidos reducirá las restricciones de viaje de COVID-19 en noviembre

El 12 de octubre de 2021, el secretario del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los EE. UU. (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, anunció que los ciudadanos extranjeros que viajen desde Canadá y México que estén completamente vacunados contra el COVID-19 y tengan la documentación adecuada podrán ingresar a los Estados Unidos por las fronteras terrestres. y travesías en ferry para fines no esenciales a partir de noviembre. Esto sigue al anuncio del 20 de septiembre de la Administración Biden de que también relajará las restricciones sobre los viajes aéreos en noviembre para los ciudadanos extranjeros no esenciales que estén vacunados. Al mismo tiempo, la Administración no ha anunciado ningún plan para poner fin o modificar su uso continuo del Título 42 para expulsar a los solicitantes de asilo en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México.

El proyecto de ley de reconciliación presupuestaria permanece estancado mientras se examina la tercera propuesta relacionada con la inmigración

El próximo proyecto de ley de reconciliación presupuestaria sigue retrasado mientras los demócratas en la Cámara y el Senado debaten su contenido. Tras los fallos del parlamentario del Senado sobre las dos primeras propuestas que habrían proporcionado la legalización y un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los miembros de la población indocumentada (que se consideró que no concordaban con la Regla Byrd del Senado), se está llevando a cabo una tercera propuesta relacionada con la inmigración. . Esta tercera opción, denominada “Plan C”, otorgaría libertad condicional a un estimado de siete a ocho millones de indocumentados, otorgándoles presencia legal en los Estados Unidos, así como autorización de trabajo y acceso a ciertos beneficios y servicios públicos. La libertad condicional sería por un período inicial de cinco años y renovable por cinco años adicionales por una duración total posible de diez años. Los beneficiarios de este programa tendrían que buscar un estado migratorio permanente (es decir, obtener una "tarjeta verde") a través de un programa existente; de lo contrario, el Congreso tendría que promulgar más medidas de alivio para esta población a fin de evitar que los beneficiarios regresen al estado ilegal una vez que expire su libertad condicional. El futuro de esta propuesta sigue siendo incierto, ya que aún no ha sido presentado al Parlamentario.

La USCCB sigue comprometida con los miembros del Congreso sobre este tema. Si aún no lo ha hecho, aún puede ver, completar y compartir esta alerta de acción de JFI relacionada con los esfuerzos de conciliación presupuestaria en curso.

El DHS establece un cronograma para reanudar los protocolos de protección de migrantes

El 14 de octubre de 2021, la Administración Biden presentó sus planes para reiniciar los Protocolos de Protección al Migrante (MPP), también conocido como “Permanecer en México”, a mediados de noviembre. El 29 de septiembre, el DHS anunció que tiene la intención de emitir en las próximas semanas un nuevo memorando de terminación del MPP. El secretario Mayorkas emitió previamente un memorando en junio dando por terminado el programa, pero un tribunal de distrito federal lo anuló y emitió una orden judicial que requería que el DHS trabajara “de buena fe” para reiniciar el programa. El DHS ha presentado una apelación en ese caso, aunque actualmente está trabajando para cumplir con la orden del tribunal, como se demostró en su presentación judicial del 14 de octubre. Tampoco queda claro cómo el MPP y el Título 42 se cruzarán entre sí.

En su declaración más reciente sobre el MPP, el obispo Dorsonville se refirió a la política como "contraria a nuestras leyes y costumbres". USCCB / MRS mantiene su oposición al MPP y seguirá abogando por su terminación total y definitiva.

Reserve la Fecha: Recaudación de Fondos en Línea de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago y Celebración del Ministerio de Inmigración y el Ministerio de Migración Nacional 29 de Octubre

Marque su calendario el 29 de octubre de 2021 para el evento virtual “Mantén Viva la Esperanza”, a beneficio del Ministerio de Inmigración y Pastoral Migratoria Nacional de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago, con el Cardenal Blase J. Cupich, arzobispo de Chicago. Este evento tendrá lugar a las 7:30 p.m. CST, 8:30 p.m. EST, 5:30 P.M. PST, y se llevará a cabo en línea nuevamente este año para garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de todos. Para oportunidades de patrocinio, comuníquese con Mark Goebel al 312-534-8383 o [email protected].

¿Tiene actualizaciones o recursos en español que desea compartir?

Favor de enviarlos a Celina Marquez y nosotros los promovemos.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Vacancy Announcement: Senior Manager, Policy and Government Affairs. CCUSA is seeking a senior manager to enhance Catholic Charities USA's mission and goals through policy advocacy and legislation. Responsibilities include following and tracking all legislative activity in Congress relevant to Catholic Charities ministries, including relevant floor votes, committee hearings and votes, and new legislation. View the job description and apply here.

CCUSA Webinar: United in Mission: Leading Self and Others Through Catholic Culture, October 25, 2021, at 3:30 PM ET. This webinar will present the United in Mission initiative of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, consider how its framework can be applied within other agencies, and explore its components: Leading the Spiritual Self; Leading the Outer Self; and Leading Others. The presenter is Deacon David Hamel, Chief of Mission Integration for Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma. Registration required.

JustFaith Ministries “Tools for Transformation” Online Presentation: How to Educate Your Community of Faith and Justice, October 26, 2021, at 3 PM ET. Join this presentation on how your faith community can benefit from JustFaith Ministries resources, what programs we are offering this year, and how to get started. Learn more and register.

Center for Migration Studies (CMS) 2021 Virtual Academic and Policy Symposium, October 26-27, 2021. Join CMS in discussing Innovation in International Migration Research and Policy with migration scholars, advocates, and policymakers at this free, virtual conference! This event is free, but pre-registration is requested.

Ignatian Solidarity Network Online Event: A Parish Journey for Racial Justice, October 27, 2021, at 2 PM ET. Addressing skepticism and resistance surrounding the idea of “social change” is an essential part of social justice ministry. Register and join this session for a directed, interactive conversation attempting to break open Catholic social teaching on social sin. You’ll receive resources for your social justice ministry toolbox and fortify your confidence in talking about how social change for justice is a crucial part of God’s vision for a grace-filled world.

Bread for the World 2021 Virtual Gala: Steadfast in Hope, Ending Hunger Together, October 28, 2021, at 8 PM ET. This virtual event will be a chance for us to share our steadfast hope that an end to hunger is possible. We will feature testimonials from individuals who have struggled with hunger and poverty and have been helped by our collective advocacy. Register to join the celebration.

FREE Legal Immigration Clinics in the Chicago Area in November. Irish Community Services is holding FREE immigration consultations in the Chicago area on November 3 and 17. Thirty-minute consultations with qualified immigration attorneys will be offered. The legal clinics address a wide array of immigration issues, including green card renewals, family-based immigration, travel information, and temporary visas. Call (773) 282-8445 for more information.

In solidarity,

Tony Cube

Stay Connected

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