JFI Bi-Weekly Review - March 14-25, 2022 |
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JFI Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
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Statements, Press Releases, and News |
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: USCCB/MRS Seeking New Policy Advisor
MRS Policy has begun its search for a new policy advisor to join its tight-knit team. In particular, this person would be assuming primary responsibility for the Anti-Trafficking/Special Programs portfolio of the office, working in close coordination with related programs. Candidates’ exposure to/familiarity with programmatic or direct-service work is a plus, especially work with asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking. All those meeting the minimum qualifications with a commitment to furthering the Church’s work on anti-trafficking and related initiatives are encouraged to apply! The posting is available on the USCCB’s employment portal.
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U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee Issues Statement on Migrants and Refugees
On March 17, 2022, the USCCB’s Administrative Committee issued a statement on migrants and refugees, addressing the Church’s work with these and other newcomers. The statement reaffirms the U.S. bishops’ call for “a comprehensive reform of our country’s immigration system,” which they describe as being “overly complex and unjust, often keeping family members apart.”
USCCB Submits Amicus Brief in Supreme Court MPP Case
On March 21, 2022, the USCCB, together with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), submitted an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case Biden v. Texas. This case hinges on whether or not the Secretary of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) was lawful. The USCCB’s brief addresses the non-refoulement issues inherent in MPP, contrary to domestic and international law, as well as its inconsistency with Catholic social teaching. Oral arguments in the case are expected to be heard next month, with a decision likely to follow sometime before the Court’s term ends in late June. The full text of the brief can be viewed here.
Biden Administration Announces Plan to Welcome Up to 100,000 Displaced Ukrainians
On March 24, 2022, the Biden Administration announced that it will work to welcome up to 100,000 displaced Ukrainians to the United States, likely over the Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023 periods, in addition to providing humanitarian aid to the region. A range of pathways are expected to be used for these Ukrainians, including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), asylum for those already in the United States, family-based immigration, other visas, and humanitarian parole. USCCB/MRS is tracking this situation closely and awaiting further information from the U.S. government regarding potential impacts on USRAP and any other programs. At this time, the State Department does not anticipate an immediate impact on resettlement networks.
Statement of USCCB President and Bishop Chairmen in Advance of Supreme Court’s Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
On March 21, 2022, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB and chairmen of USCCB committees serving women and families, including Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of the Committee on Migration, issued a statement, “Standing with Moms in Need.” The statement reaffirms the Church’s commitment to “support and advocate for public policies and programs directed toward building up the common good and fostering integral human development, with a special concern for the needs of immigrants and low-income families.”
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee Releases Statement on Ukraine
On March 16, 2022, the USCCB’s Administrative Committee issued a statement on the situation in Ukraine, urging the U.S. government “to aid humanitarian access and to support and provide assistance to those who remain in Ukraine and those fleeing the country.”
USCCB’s Migration Chairman Emphasizes Impacts of USCIS Processing Delays on Religious Workers
In a recent article from Crux, Bishop Dorsonville discusses the USCCB’s ongoing efforts to address processing delays impacting foreign-born religious workers and local communities. As essential workers, foreign-born religious workers play vital roles in a variety of Catholic ministries, especially those with an intercultural lens, as well as within many other denominations.
CLINIC recently produced a policy brief discussing this situation that includes recommendations to address it.
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Policy Update / Actualización de Política |
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- Florida Passed a Bill That Will Force State and Local Law Enforcement to Cooperate with ICE and Perform Immigration Enforcement Functions
- USCIS Announced Policies Related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status to Protect Abused, Neglected, or Abandoned Immigrant Children
- Two Federal Courts Issued Conflicting Decisions on Title 42 Expulsions at the Southern Border
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.
- Florida aprobó un proyecto de ley que obligará a los cuerpos policiales estatales y locales a cooperar con ICE y a realizar funciones de control de inmigración
- USCIS anunció políticas relacionadas con el Estatus de Inmigrante Juvenil Especial para proteger a los niños inmigrantes abusados, descuidados o abandonados
- Dos tribunales federales emitieron decisiones contradictorias sobre las expulsiones del Título 42 en la frontera sur
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Migration-Related Op-Eds, Articles, Interviews, and Columns by Catholic Bishops |
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York Discusses How the Catholic Church is Helping Ukrainian Refugees:
Bishop James S. Wal, Diocesel of Gallup, New Mexico and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on National Collections:
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Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc. |
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- This new report from MPI and a Guatemalan NGO examines the causes for migration from Guatemala and offers policy recommendations to improve livelihoods and migration management.
- "Black Catholics in America," published on March 15th, examines Black Catholics within a larger Catholic contest. The study captures the diversity of Black American religious life offering new insights into Black Catholics’ religious habits and experiences, and finding that their experiences at parishes and at Mass are often distinctive from those of other U.S. Catholics. It also tells us that 6% of Black Americans are Catholics. While this percentage is small, it still means that there are nearly 3 million Black Catholics in the U.S.
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Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources |
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CLINIC Webinar Training: Increasing Immigrant Integration and Inclusion Through Community Partnerships, March 30, 2022 at 2 PM ET. This FREE workshop will introduce integration basics, such as common terminology, and explore characteristics of effective integration programming with various community partners, such as city governments, local parishes, volunteers and other nonprofits. The trainer will provide recommendations on characteristics to look for in a partner, ideas for integration programming for each type of partnership, and ways to manage a partnership so that it accomplishes its desired objectives. Learn more and register.
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Jesuit Refugee Services USA Advocacy Day (Virtual), April 5, 2022. JRS/USA invites you to join our annual Advocacy Day for 2022. This virtual event will provide you with the opportunity to learn about issues facing refugees and to encourage members of Congress to take action on their behalf. Get more information on the event website.
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Salesians of Stony Point (NY) Monthly Young Adult Night, April 5, 2022, at 6:30 PM ET. Since January 2022, the Salesians at the Marian Shrine have sponsored a monthly young adult night for people ages 18-39. This sponsorship is in collaboration with the Archdiocese of New York on young adult programs. Learn more and be a part of our next gathering.
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Pax Christi USA Lenten Retreat: Disarming our Hearts: A Virtual Way of the Cross, April 6, 2022 at 6 PM ET. In these turbulent times of war, violence, racism, and anxiety, we invite you to rediscover the healing power of beauty with artist and story-teller Brother Mickey McGrath as he shares his own paintings and stories to lead you on a contemporary Way of the Cross. This retreat is FREE for participants. Register today.
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Peace and Justice Ministry Internship. The Diocese of El Paso’s Peace & Justice Ministry is seeking a young adult for an internship opportunity. Application deadline is April 17. Those interested can contact Marco Raposo.
Lenten blessings,
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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