Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the Libre Initiative launched a new campaign yesterday urging lawmakers to pass broad immigration reforms this year, reports Rafael Bernal of The
Hill.
A recent Libre poll found that 93% of respondents agree Congress should act on both immigration and border security measures.
"Politicians in Washington are failing their constituents. Practical immigration fixes would give us a stronger economy, a stronger border, and a stronger America. An overwhelming number of Americans agree, but Congress cares more about fighting than solving problems," said Libre Initiative president Daniel Garza. "Our call is simple: start by pairing reforms that have broad support and let’s start reforming our outdated immigration systems."
"For decades the Catholic bishops of the United States and members of the faithful across our country have been advocating for just and forward-looking immigration reform, a reform that recognizes the God-given dignity of every single person in our nation, citizens and non-citizens," said Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, chairman of the Migrant and Refugee Services Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Alliance is a powerful example of faith and other groups banding together on something like immigration, he added.
Welcome to Friday’s edition of Noorani’s Notes. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].
TPS FOR UKRAINE — Speaking of reform and protecting the most vulnerable, last night the Department of Homeland Security granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the tens of thousands of Ukrainians already in the U.S., reports Joel Rose of NPR. While granting TPS to Ukrainians is "an important move that speaks to our history as a safe haven for those facing oppression,"
the Biden administration must "prioritize rebuilding our refugee resettlement infrastructure and capacity, to continue our legacy as a welcoming beacon of democracy," per our press statement. Meanwhile, on Wednesday the EU announced it would provide Ukrainian refugees residence and work permits, among other temporary measures to aid them in housing, medical coverage and more, Eric Sylvers and Laurence Norman report for The Wall Street Journal. For more on the humanitarian efforts on the ground and the kindness of strangers as Ukrainians flee their homes, read this powerful piece from Valerie Hopkins in The New York Times.
AFGHAN WELCOME — Welcoming Afghan refugees to Iowa "is necessary to our integrity" as a state and as people of faith, writes Peter Hoelsema in a letter to the editor for Sioux Center News. "To deny Afghans welcome here would be to deny our heritage, forsake the integrity of the Gospel and to dishonor the Name. Who are we to deny Afghans the opportunity
of the Gospel? And least of all, who are we to deny them hospitality?"
On the local front:
- In partnership with the humanitarian organization Alight, Halal Groceries in Burnsville, Minnesota, "has so far donated 30,000 pounds of food to hundreds of Afghan refugees." The store plans to continue "significantly reducing the cost to buy groceries" for Afghans as well. (Bisi Onile-Ere, FOX 9)
- A new nonprofit, Tennessee Resettlement Aid, is helping Afghan refugees find jobs and mentors. The organization "is looking for more ways to help the new Afghan community in the city moving forward, including trying to find a way to facilitate the evacuation of family members still in Afghanistan." (Will Chappell and Mike Osborne, WMOT)
- Islamic Relief USA recently donated $17,950 to the Khan Ohana Foundation, a local food pantry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. "The donation will help Afghan refugees receive hot, nutritious meals while they continue to adapt to life in America." (FOX23.com)
‘WE SEE OURSELVES’ — As former unaccompanied migrant children under Operation Pedro Pan, "[w]e see ourselves in the faces of the children now coming to Florida alone from many countries," write Tony Argiz and Mario Murgado, Board Members of the IMPAC Fund, in an op-ed for The Orlando Sentinel. They are now urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to reverse the order blocking shelters from renewing their licenses to care for foster and unaccompanied migrant children. "The governor’s order goes against Florida’s proud tradition of welcoming immigrants, especially vulnerable children, fleeing dictatorships and economic disasters," they write. In reality, "new arrivals are bringing the skills and ingenuity that our state needs to propel itself forward, just as we did
more than a half-century ago."
DREAMER NARRATIVE — A new film from political organizer Karina Dominguez explores the impacts of the ‘Dreamer’ narrative on undocumented communities, reports Raphael Romero Ruiz of The Arizona Republic. "Rejecting the Dreamer Narrative" aims to shed light on the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants who do not have DACA. Dominguez’s goal is "to create a more inclusive way of talking about immigrant people, with more dimension, within the movement," and build a movement that "protects everyone and does not perpetuate the good versus bad migrant narrative."
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