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JFI Bi-Weekly Review - Nov. 22nd - Dec. 3rd, 2021

JFI Colleagues,

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

Press Release: U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Expresses Concern Over Reimplementation of Migrant Protection Protocols

On December 2, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico,” would restart the week of December 6. In response to this announcement, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement reaffirming the USCCB’s steadfast opposition to MPP.

Video : Coadjutor Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino Visiting Asylum Seekers

In September, Bishop Alberto Rojas led a delegation of clergy into the low desert to meet with newly arrived asylum seekers and provide pastoral accompaniment, as well as to meet the workers who serve them. Bishop Rojas listened to testimonies and imparted blessings on all.

Here are the links to English and Spanish versions of the Bishop’s visit with the asylum seekers:

For more information or to get involved, please contact AJ Joven in the Diocese of San Bernardino’s Office of Advocacy at 909-475-5351.

Webinar Replay: Trashed: A Roundtable Conversation on Human Life, the Environment, and the Migrant

Please take an opportunity to watch the recent webinar “Trashed: A Roundtable Conversation on Human Life, The Environment, and the Migrant,” which looks at different ways in which a Catholic ethic informs the Church’s approach to these issues. Our own Todd Scribner spoke on the issue of migration and its intersection with a life ethic. Thanks to the Diocese of Norwich for hosting this event.

Reminder: Register for the 2022 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

Please join us for the 2022 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. 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.

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.

View the November 23, 2021 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

The Build Back Better Act was Passed by the House and Includes Immigration Provisions
USCIS Published Policy Guidance on Adoption of Foreign-born Children
Operation Allies Welcome Resettled the Last Group of Afghan Nationals at the DOD Installation in Fort Lee, VA
USCIS Issued Policy Guidance on Naturalization for Military Service Members

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.

Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 23 de noviembre, que incluye:

La Cámara de Representantes Aprobó la Ley Build Back Better e Incluye Disposiciones Sobre Inmigración
Orientación de Política Publicada por el USCIS Sobre la Adopción de Niños Nacidos en el Extranjero
La Operación Aliados Bienvenidos Reasentó al Último Grupo de Ciudadanos Afganos Presentes en la Instalación del Departamento de Defensa en Fort Lee, VA
USCIS Emitió una Guía de Política Sobre Naturalización para Miembros del Servicio Militar

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

Diocese of Stockton’s Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Celebration, December 5, 2021, at Noon. The Diocese’s 41st Annual OLG Celebration will begin with the traditional pilgrimage through the downtown streets of Stockton, proceed to the Stockton Arena, and conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist presided by Most Reverend Myron Cotta, Bishop of Stockton. Information to attend is on the event website.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities’ (Richmond, VA) Holiday Festival of Music Virtual Event, December 6, 2021. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the celebration of Christmas and will feature the Richmond Symphony. Find out how to enjoy the music of the season.

2021 Fr. Lydio Tomasi, C.S. Lecture on International Migration - Center for Migration Studies, December 7, 2021, from 2:00-3:15 PM ET. Please join CMS for the Center for Migration Services' 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). Please register for this promising event.

Immigration Orientation for Recent Haitian Arrivals, December 7, 2021, at 5:30 PM ET. Catholic Social Services Immigration Legal Services of Pittsburgh is partnering with Haitian Americans United for Change to host this immigration legal orientation presentation on Facebook Live/Zoom. This presentation will be translated live from English to Haitian Creole. Get more information and register.

Center for Migration Studies (CMS) Virtual Event: Estimates of Populations Eligible for Legalization Under Pending Bills, December 9, 2021, at 1 PM ET. Join CMS for a webinar and discussion of the forthcoming CMS report, Ready to Stay: A Comprehensive Analysis of the US Foreign-Born Populations Eligible for Special Legal Status Programs and for Legalization under Pending Bills. The report offers estimates of U.S. foreign-born populations that are eligible for special legal status programs and those that would be eligible for permanent residence (or legalization) under pending bills. Registration required.

Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) and Kino Border Initiative’s (KBI) Posada, December 16-24, 2021. Join ISN and KBI from Dec. 16-24 in a daily virtual experience of music, prayer, reflection and action to end Title 42 as we journey with the Holy Family and migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The virtual Posada will be in English and Spanish. Sign up now!

Become a Salesian Lay Missioners (SLM): Informational Webinar on December 16, 2021 at 9 PM ET. Join SLMs for an upcoming webinar to learn more about the Salesians, program requirements, application/placement process, and more! Register and attend.

Job Announcement: Sisters of Good Shepherd - National Advocacy Center. The National Advocacy Center (NAC) educates and advocates on social justice issues for the transformation of society and the benefit of all people, and reflects the spirituality, history and mission of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. We are seeking a Policy Advocate to join in this mission and to advocate and develop NAC’s issues agenda, lobby Congress, and educate the Good Shepherd community.

Immigrant Family Support Program (from the State of Illinois). Are you an immigrant living in Illinois? $2,000 grants are available to eligible immigrant families in Illinois affected by the pandemic. Immigration status is NOT a requirement for eligibility. Call Irish Community Services of Chicago to learn more: 773-282-8445.

Advent blessings,

Tony Cube

Stay Connected

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