JFI Bi-Weekly Review - January 1st-14th, 2022 JFI Colleagues, Happy New Year! Please see below for the latest updates from JFI. U.S Bishops Migration Chairman Addresses Future of Immigration Reform On December 21, 2021, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement expressing the Catholic bishops’ hope for immigration reform in the upcoming year. Immigration Reform and the Church’s Voice: Understanding the Problem and Seeking Solutions For decades the Catholic Church in the United States has called for immigration reform, elevating the importance of family unity and human dignity, among other considerations. The bishops have frequently been at the forefront of these efforts. Unfortunately, immigration reform has fallen victim to a growing partisan divide. Meanwhile, millions of undocumented immigrants and their families remain vulnerable while waiting for a permanent political solution—in many cases, for decades. Given this, the Church’s consistent moral voice is essential for providing direction and promoting positive change. This report highlights some of the key issues at play in immigration and how the Church remains a leader in calling for immigration reform. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Learn How You Can Support the Church's Efforts to End Human Trafficking ‌ Follow us on social media. During the month of January, we will be focusing on our anti-trafficking work and prevention resources. Please follow @MRSServes and @USCCBJFI. February 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, has been designated a world day of prayer, reflection, and action against human trafficking. The theme for the 2022 World Day of Prayer is “The Power of Care: Women, Economics, Human Trafficking.” Visit the International Day of Prayer website for more information and updates including: background on the day and on human trafficking; graphics, social media banners and posters to download; and an invitation to join the prayer campaign. On February 8th, networks of religious life around the world working to end human trafficking will join together for a global prayer marathon. USCSAHT will be coordinating the participation of religious in the United States. More information will follow. U.S. Catholic Sisters against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) have prepared a trafficking prevention Toolkit 2022 with all kinds of valuable resource to use with February 8 celebrations and in work to end human trafficking throughout the year. The kit includes: information about human trafficking and how to end it; prayer and faith resources; social media shareables; and a host of additional resources. Consider becoming a member so that you can keep on top of new developments in this field. See the Anti-Trafficking page of the JFI website. We encourage you to access our existing resources and learn more about what we will be working on moving forward. Pray to end human trafficking. Please let us know if you are celebrating the feast day in any special way or if you have ideas for resources that might help you in the fight against human trafficking. Webinar on Climate Change and Migration The Interreligious Eco-Justice Network invites you to a new webinar, Climate Change & Migration: Why Do People Leave the Homes They Love?, that will focus on how climate change exacerbates conflict, violence, and famine, creating both internal migration and immigration crises. It will be Thursday, February 3 from 7 - 8:30 PM ET. The panelists will be Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum and Tabitha Sookdeo of Sookdeo Consulting, a climate and immigration activist who has worked to settle refugees in America. Sponsored by Interreligious Eco-Justice Network and the Hartford International University. The webinar is free but please register in advance. Reminder: Register for the 2022 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering USCCB/MRS 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. 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 January 12 CMS Migration Update, which includes: DHS Confirms that ICE and CBP Will Not Take Immigration Enforcement Actions at Wildfire Emergency Response Sites in Colorado US Coast Guard Returned 119 Cuban Migrants Last Week Marking a Growing Trend in Migration by Sea from Cuba The Biden Administration Outlined Its Plan for Implementation of MPP While Emphasizing Its Commitment to End the Program View the January 4, 2021 CMS Migration Update, which includes: Operation Allies Welcome Resettled the Last Groups of Afghans Evacuees at DOD Bases in Fort Bliss, TX and Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA USCIS Extended Flexibility for Responding to Certain Application-related Request USCIS Updated Guidance to Expedited Work Authorization for Healthcare Workers 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 12 de enero, que incluye: El DHS Confirma que el ICE y el CBP no Tomarán Medidas de Aplicación de la Ley de Inmigración en los Sitios de Respuesta de Emergencia a los Incendios Forestales en Colorado La Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos Devolvió a 119 Inmigrantes Cubanos la Semana Pasada, Marcando una Tendencia Creciente en la Migración por Mar desde Cuba La Administración Biden Esbozó Su Plan para la Aplicación del MPP, al Tiempo que Subrayó Su Compromiso de Poner Fin al Programa Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 4 de enero, que incluye: La Operación Aliados da la Bienvenida a los Últimos Grupos de Afganos Evacuados en las Bases del Departamento de Defensa de Fort Bliss (Texas) y la Base del Cuerpo de Marinos de Quantico (Virginia) USCIS Amplía la Flexibilidad para Responder a Ciertas Peticiones Relacionadas con la Solicitud USCIS Actualiza la Guía para Acelerar la Autorización de Trabajo para los Trabajadores de la Salud Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc. Catholic Legal Immigration Network INC (CLINIC): Policy Brief: The Human Consequences of USCIS Policies and Backlogs on Religious Workers and the Communities They Serve. A new policy brief from CLINIC outlines recommendations to ensure that essential religious workers are not taken out of service during the pandemic due to backlogs and other issues at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources Diocese of San Bernardino Migrant Mass, January 16, 2022 at 3PM PT. The Office of Advocacy invites you to their annual Migrant Mass! The Mass will take place in-person at St. Francis X Cabrini Catholic Church in Yucaipa, CA and streamed live via YouTube. Pax Christi USA Action to End Capital Punishment, January 17, 2022 at 6 PM ET. Gather with us virtually to commemorate the reinstatement of the modern-day death penalty. On Sunday, January 16th and Monday, January 17th there will be events calling for abolition. Johnny Zokovitch, Pax Christi USA's Executive Director, will be speaking at a teach-in from 6-7:30 PM ET/3-4:30 PM PT. Register and join us for this virtual event. Catholic Charities USA Webinar: A Partnership to Support Haitians, January 26, 2022 at 2 PM ET. Join Supporting Haitians, a partnership between Catholic Charities USA, CLINIC, USCCB, and Catholic Charities of NYC to explore the following aspects of this process, including background context, service barriers for Haitians, and where Haitians are going and current efforts that may be replicable around the country. Register in advance for this webinar. Nominate a Young Activist for NETWORK's Social Poet Award! At the 4th World Meeting of Popular Movements, Pope Francis thanked the "Social Poets" of the world, who "have the ability and the courage to create hope where there appears to be only waste and exclusion." Every day, we are inspired by the stories of remarkable young justice-seekers who create hope in their own communities. For NETWORK's 50th anniversary, we want to uplift and celebrate the next generation of activists. If you know an inspiring young person (age 18-30) engaged in the work of building a just society for all, nominate them for NETWORK's Social Poet Award! Applications are due on January 31, 2022. Children, Youth, and Family Professional Section Steering Committee Member Recruitment. Catholic Charities USA is recruiting members to join the Children, Youth, and Family Professional Section (CYFS) Steering Committee. The purpose, mission, and vision of the CYFS Services Professional Interest Section are to provide information, formation, and networking opportunities to staff and volunteers working with children, youth, and families. Please send an email to request more information! Your participation on the committee will bring valuable expertise that will continue to enrich and build upon the knowledge of our network. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2022. In Solidarity, Tony Cube Stay Connected 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. USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!