JFI Week in Review - Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, 2019

Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

Refugee Updates

While proposing an 18,000 refugee ceiling be admitted to the United States in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, the President has not yet issued the formal Presidential Determination required to allow refugees to begin arriving. There is currently a moratorium halting further arrivals until November 5, 2019. Meanwhile, USCCB/MRS and Catholic Charities resettlement partners are leading Catholic community efforts to respond to Executive Order 13888, which requires state and local consent before resettlement is allowed. An updated toolkit for JFI will be coming soon. Please see our Executive Order FAQ and check back in shortly for more information.

DACA Update

On November 12, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will be hearing oral arguments on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. On that day, JFI core member organizations will be joined by other Catholic and interfaith DACA supporters in a "Walking Rosary" from Columbus Circle in Washington, DC, to the Supreme Court.

Starting at 9 AM on Nov. 12th, Catholics and interfaith DACA supporters will recite the first two decades of Sorrowful Mysteries at Columbus Circle, then pray the third and fourth decades of the Rosary while walking towards the Supreme Court. Participants will end the walk across the street from or at the Supreme Court where they will recite the last decade and send forth advocates in prayerful support of DACA recipients and SCOTUS justices in their deliberation of DACA. Please see this sheet for event details and use the flyer below to encourage others to participate in the event:

Not going to be in DC but interested in learning more? See JFI's Twitter and

Facebook accounts for the latest information and how you can support on social media.

In addition to the activities involving the Supreme Court oral arguments, please see our new resources on "What to Do Now" regarding DACA (in English and in Español) and Prayers for the Faithful for DACA Recipients (in English and in Español). These resources are available on the Dreamer/DACA page as well.

Catholic Partners Request Immigration Protections for Bahamians Seeking Safety in the Aftermath of Hurricane Dorian

The USCCB, CLINIC, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Relief Services sent a letter requesting DHS extend life-saving protections for Bahamians who seek safety in the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Specifically, the organizations request DHS designate Temporary Protected Status for the Bahamas and consider using other humanitarian protections, including prosecutorial discretion and humanitarian parole, for hurricane evacuees.

Appropriations

As November 21st (the end of the current continuing resolution for federal appropriations) nears, USCCB Chairmen sent a letter to Congress highlighting the Bishops' funding concerns.

So far, the House has already passed migration-related appropriation bills for Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS), State, Foreign Operations (SFOPS), and Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS). The House drafted but has not passed a Homeland Security (DHS) bill. Most appropriations action right now is in the Senate where there is currently a four-package bill that includes CJS. The Senate reportedly wants to proceed next with a bill that would include Defense and LHHS funding. Meanwhile, Congressional leaders are urging a second continuing resolution until late December (here is a summary).

November 6th Webinar: How Parish IDs Can Help Foster Communities of Welcome

Join parish and diocesan leaders from across the country in this webinar to learn the positive impacts parish IDs have had on immigrant communities. You will also learn about how you can start a parish ID program in your own community.

National Migration Week (NMW) 2020: Promoting a Church and a World for All

NMW 2020 will be commemorated on January 5-11, 2020. Watch and listen to our recent NMW 2020 webinar to find out more about the annual celebration and hear ideas for planning your own parish, diocesan or community event. See our toolkit, available here.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Bishops of El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Las Cruces to Concelebrate 22nd Annual Border Mass - November 2, 2019 at 9 AM in El Paso, TX - Celebrate Mass on the U.S.-Mexico border by the three border dioceses of El Paso, Las Cruces, and Ciudad Juarez. Get more information and driving directions on the Border Mass website.

Humanitarian Aid on the Border: From the Mediterranean to the Sonoran Desert - November 6, 2019 at 7 PM in Tucson, AZ - Featuring Haidi Sadik a staff member of Sea-Watch, Scott Warren a volunteer with No More Deaths, the event will discuss each organization's humanitarian aid mission and the prosecution of aid volunteers in each region. Visit the event website for more details.

They Interfaith Community Forum - November 6, 2019 at 7:30 PM in Arlington Heights, IL - Viator House, St. James Catholic Church and the Arlington Heights League of Women Voters are sponsoring a community forum focused on issues facing child asylum-seekers. Featured speakers will include Fr. Corey, Br. Michael Gosch, and an attorney who has represented young people seeking asylum in the U.S. This event will take place at St. James Parish Center, 820 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL.

National Immigration Forum's Keepers of the American Dream 2019 - November 7, 2019 at 6 PM in Washington, DC - Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, will be honored at the annual Keepers of the American Dream event. Reserve your seat to celebrate Sister Norma and the other honorees.

The Sultan and the Saint: The Spiritual Journey of Transformative Encounter - November 7, 2019 at 9AM-6PM at the Catholic University of America - This one-day conference on the 800th anniversary of the meeting of St. Francois of Assisi and Sultan Malik Al-Kamil in 1219 will include a roundtable discussion on present-day relations between Christians and Muslims. Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre will speak at the conference. Please RSVP for this event.

USCIS Ombudsman Teleconference: Get to Know the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman - November 7, 2019 at 2 PM Eastern - Hear from the Ombudsman's Office on issues such as: How the Ombudsman's Office triages requests for case assistance to identify expedites and emergency issues; How the Office works with USCIS to resolve requests for case assistance; and Where and how the Office engages with the public. There will also be a Q&A session. RSVP for the teleconference.

Webinar: Trauma Informed-Care for the Child-Teen Migrant - November 20, 2019 at 2 PM Eastern - Join experts from Catholic Charities outlining trauma/mental health issues affecting immigrant children/teens and the effects that trauma causes on this vulnerable population. They will address how providers can use strengths-based approaches to build resilience and heal trauma in this population as well as explore how to utilize care coordination models to provide trauma-informed care. Get more information and register here.

In Solidarity,

Tony Cube