JFI Bi-Weekly Review - Nov. 6th-19th, 2021 |
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JFI Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from the JFI Campaign.
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On November 16, 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) convened their November General Assembly in Baltimore, their first in-person meeting in two years in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bishops elected a new USCCB treasurer and chairmen of five standing committees. The elected bishops will serve for one year as the treasurer-elect or as committee chairman-elect before beginning a three-year term that begins at the conclusion of the bishops’ 2022 Fall General Assembly. Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso will serve as chairman-elect of the Committee on Migration for the next year before assuming the chairmanship in November 2022.
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On November 19, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, a budget reconciliation bill. If enacted into law as written, the legislation would make an estimated 7 to 8 million undocumented persons who entered the United States before January 1, 2011, eligible for parole, temporarily protecting recipients from deportation and making them eligible for work authorization, international travel, and other benefits. On November 3, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, joined his brother bishops in a letter to all members of Congress, urging them to “advance legislation that would promote the full integration of undocumented persons already living as Americans in principle by affording them legalization with a pathway to citizenship.” In reference to the parole provisions contained in H.R. 5376, the bishops “affirm[ed] the value of enacting temporary protections, with the expectation that Congress will work expeditiously to enact permanent relief in subsequent legislation.” The version of H.R. 5376 passed by the House also provides for the recapture of unused visas and includes supplemental funding of $2.8 billion for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to adjudicate immigration benefits and reduce case processing backlogs. The Build Back Better Act will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to undergo further revisions before receiving a vote in that chamber. A ruling is also forthcoming from the Senate Parliamentarian on whether the current parole provisions are in compliance with the Senate’s Byrd Rule.
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The dignity of human life is being called into question every day in our world on every level. Much of what we believe and hold true as Christians has become countercultural, and human life has now become a commodity with a monetary value. Our throwaway culture disposes of life when it becomes inconvenient, costly, or politically incorrect. We are challenged to make choices about the value of the human person as technology and consumerism reach new and unprecedented heights. TRASHED! is a virtual event that celebrates human life and its connectedness to the Earth as our common home. |
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Please take an opportunity to view this powerful webinar that highlights a creative model for helping unaccompanied migrant children who are aging out of the system. Each year, thousands of unaccompanied minors flee to the U.S. seeking refuge. They are transferred to government-funded child care centers for immigrant youth. As they age out and if they have no family with whom to live, they are handcuffed by ICE and sent to adult detention centers, often county jails or for-profit immigrant prisons. Instead of being sent to prisons, the young women and men at Viator House and Bethany House can attend school, work, seek counseling, follow their religious traditions, and meet regularly with their attorneys.
Policy Update / Actualización de Política
We are thankful to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) for its weekly Migration Update. Please visit their bilingual Migration Update page to stay up-to-date on recent migration policy updates.
- DHS Announced That Nationals of Six New Countries Will Be Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Nonimmigrant Visa Programs
- ICE Began Issuing Notices to Appear to 78,000 Migrants Who Were Paroled and Released after Crossing the Southern Border
- DHS Announced Streamlined Immigration Application Processing and Fee Waiver for Paroled Afghan Nationals
- Fully Vaccinated Foreign Nationals Can Now Travel to the United States for Non-Essential Purposes
- BIA Ruling in Matter of M-F-O- Provides New Guidelines for Voluntary Departure
- CBP Rescinded Metering Guidelines that Limited the Number of Asylum-seekers Processed at Land Borders Each Day
Agradecemos al Centro de Estudios de Migración de Nueva York (CMS por sus siglas en inglés) por su Actualización de Migración semanal. Visite su página bilingüe de Actualización de Migración para mantenerse al día sobre las actualizaciones recientes de la política de migración.
- El DHS Anunció Que Los Ciudadanos de Seis Nuevos Países Serán Elegibles para Los Programas de Visas de No Inmigrante H-2A y H-2B
- ICE Comenzó a Emitir Avisos para Comparecer a 78,000 Migrantes Que Fueron Puestos en Libertad Condicional y Liberados Después de Cruzar La Frontera Sur
- DHS Anunció El Procesamiento Simplificado de Solicitudes de Inmigración y La Exención de Pago para Ciudadanos Afganos en Libertad Condicional
- Los Ciudadanos Extranjeros Completamente Vacunados ahora Pueden Viajar a los Estados Unidos para Fines no Esenciales
- Fallo de BIA en Materia de M-F-O- Proporciona Nuevas Pautas para la Salida Voluntaria
- CBP Rescindió las Directrices de Medición que Limitaban el Número de Solicitantes de Asilo Procesados en las Fronteras Terrestres Cada Día
Register now for the 2022 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering!
CCUSA is a proud sponsor of the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This year's event, "Justice at the Margins," will be held virtually from January 29 to February 1. Don't miss this transformative gathering of prayer, learning, and advocacy. This year's gathering will include:
- Inspiring leading voices in the Church and society.
- Workshops with policy experts and grassroots community leaders.
- Resources from dozens of Catholic social ministry organizations.
- Virtual advocacy visits with elected officials.
- And much more.
The entire program will be offered bilingually (English and Spanish), and sign interpretation will be available. Special opportunities include the Diversity Outreach Initiative, the Young Leaders Initiative, and a new group registration option with discounted rates for groups of 10 or more. Click here to register or learn more. Scholarships are available to cover a portion of the registration fee. Apply now. The application deadline is January 10, 2022.
Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources
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Center for Migration Studies’ 2021 Fr. Lydio F. Tomasi, C.S. Lecture on International Migration, December 7, 2021, at 2:00 PM ET. Please join the Center for Migration Studies of New York for our annual Fr. Lydio F. Tomasi, C.S. Lecture on International Migration. This year, Silas W. Allard will deliver the lecture, “Christianity and the Law of Migration: A Dialogue in Social Responsibility.” The event will also feature responses from Kristin Heyer and Raj Nadella – co-editors with Allard – of the new book Christianity and the Law of Migration (Routledge 2021). Register and learn more about this virtual event.
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Catholic Charities Dallas: Free Legal Immigration Services are available to any and all eligible clients. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact (214) 634-7182 for direct assistance regarding qualifications for no-fee immigration services. Catholic Charities Dallas may offer services at no cost to you if you are currently receiving public benefits or if you are under 125% of the poverty guideline. You must call our office or come by to set up an appointment so we can determine if you qualify for free services. Book an appointment/Resavar una cita.
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Catholic Labor Network Webinar: Economic Justice for All at 35, November 22, 2021, at 2 PM ET. In November 1986 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB, predecessor of the USCCB) issued a critical pastoral letter on the U.S. economy, Economic Justice for All. What can Economic Justice for All teach us today? Panelists will reflect on the document in light of 35 years of economic development and Catholic Social Teaching. Register to join the webinar.
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Advocates for Immigrants in Detention NW (AIDNW). AIDNW’s Welcome Center in the Seattle-Tacoma area needs warm jackets for immigrants released from the Northwest Detention Center. See an updated listing of specific needs on the Welcome Center Wish List.
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Diocese of Little Rock - Catholic Immigration Services: Walk-In Tuesdays. Catholic Charities Immigration Services in Springdale, AR, provides low-cost immigration counseling and support to families and individuals who are eligible for immigration benefits and cannot afford private assistance. We are a CLINIC affiliate. Our office is open for consultations every Tuesday at 8 AM. Call (479) 927-1996 for more information.
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Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, Volunteer Opportunity. Immigration Legal Services, a part of Catholic Charities DC’s Newcomer Network, focuses on the provision of direct legal immigration services to foreign-born individuals and their families. Last year, we worked with more than 4,400 cases, ranging from consultations to full representation. We welcome attorneys willing to volunteer their time to help our immigrants and their families. Please contact our Pro Bono Coordinator, Jim Feroli, if you are interested.
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Daily Advent Reflections from Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). Sunday, November 28, 2021, marks the beginning of Advent. Once again, CCUSA will offer daily reflections on each day's Mass readings, authored by Catholic Charities employees and other social concerns ministers. The reflections will arrive by email first thing each morning. Sign up to receive them.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Tony Cube
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Visit the JFI website to learn about us, read policy recommendations and letters to Congress, find materials for your parish, get advocacy resources, access previously recorded webinars, and more! Send us an email to get connected.
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