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JFI Week in Review 12/2-12/6/19
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Justice for Immigrants Colleagues,
Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.
USCCB/CRS Statement on Asylum
On Monday, November 18, the Trump Administration published two interim final notices
[[link removed]]
in the Federal Register to implement "asylum cooperative agreements" with Guatemala,
Honduras, and El Salvador. The rules would allow the U.S. government to send asylum
seekers to the three Central American countries without the opportunity to access
asylum in the United States and require the countries to adjudicate asylum claims
and attempt to provide protection. In response, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary
bishop of Washington and Chairman of the Committee on Migration for the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Sean Callahan, President and CEO of
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), issued a statement [[link removed]].
For more information on asylum, please see our backgrounder on the Justice for Immigrants
website. [[link removed]]
NEW RESOURCE! The Difference between Refugees and Asylees
While refugees and asylees represent similar populations, it is important to identify
and clarify the differences between the processes and procedures that are currently
in place to provide protections and support for these different groups. In an effort
to help you to better appreciate these differences, we have developed a backgrounder
[[link removed]]
that will clarify common misunderstandings. Please use this tool to ensure you inform
lawmakers about the difference between refugees and asylees.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12, 2019 is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is Mexico's patron
saint, Patron of the Americas, and a symbol of love and strength for Latin Americans
and believers across the world. Our Lady of Guadalupe provides an opportunity to
reflect on the current migration situation, educate others on Church teaching related
to this phenomenon. We ask that you consider celebrating this celebration in your
local diocese, parish, or school. To help in this process, please see the JFI toolkit
[[link removed]]
developed for this occasion.
National Migration Week 2020
The Catholic Church will be celebrating National Migration Week from January 5 -
11, 2020. The theme for this year's celebration is "Promoting a Church and a World
for All," which reflects the need for Catholics to be inclusive and welcoming to
all our brothers and sisters. Please visit the Justice for Immigrants' webpage
for an updated NMW toolkit [[link removed]],
which will provide helpful tips and suggestions for the week. Also, take a moment
to watch the NMW 2020 webinar [[link removed]],
which provides examples of diocesan engagement for this celebration.
Upcoming Webinar: State Level Advocacy Project
Please join us for this upcoming webinar to learn how you can further engage in
state level advocacy to help welcome and protect refugees! To login to the webinar,
please follow this link [[link removed]].
Fee Waiver Webinar
On November 8, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released
its proposal to adjust certain immigration benefit fees including naturalization,
family-based petitions, adjustment of status, and travel documents. While the biennial
fee review has been expected, the proposed changes include new fees for asylum applications
and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals renewals that are garnering broad opposition.
On December 4th JFI hosted a webinar in partnership with CLINIC that highlighted
some of the issues and concerns. Please see the webinar on the JFI website [[link removed]],
along with the accompanying slides.
Refugee Update
Pursuant to Executive Order 13888 Department of State is requiring the resettlement
agencies to secure consent letters from governors and local officials. See FAQ on
Executive Order 13888 here [[link removed]].
The resettlement agencies are working together on this effort, and local Catholic
Charities partners, often supported by State Catholic Conferences, are taking the
lead in 11 states and 26 localities . USCCB/MRS is providing webinars [[link removed]],
conference calls, and one-on-one consultations to Catholic partners engaged in this
advocacy.
Meanwhile, HIAS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and Church World Service
have sued the Administration in federal court charging that EO 13888 violates the
US Constitution, Refugee Act of 1980, and the Administrative Procedures Act. See
press release, here [[link removed]]
and the complaint, here [[link removed]].
There is a pending request for a preliminary injunction. Oral arguments for it are
scheduled for 10 am, Wednesday, January 8, 2020, and, reportedly, the judge will
rule on the injunction by January 17. Even with litigation, USCCB/MRS and all resettlement
agencies and their affiliates are continuing to pursue "consent" as required by
EO 13888.
NOTICE: Justice for Immigrants National Call: Monday December 9, 2019 at 2-3 PM
Eastern
Please mark on your calendars and join us for the next JFI national call on Monday,
December 9, 2019 at 2-3 PM Eastern. You can access the discussion by calling in
at 1-800-446-1162; Passcode: 106181.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities

* Catholic Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami - Symposium on Human Rights and
Asylum Advocacy - December 12, 2019, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM. The Catholic Legal Services
of the Archdiocese of Miami will be hosting a symposium that examines recent human
rights and asylum advocacy. You can register for the event here [[link removed]].

* Archdiocese of Chicago - Annual Posada - December 13, 7:00 - 9:00 AM. The Archdiocese
of Chicago will be holding its annual posada [[link removed]]
as an opportunity to walk and pray in solidarity with our immigrant sisters and
brothers who - as the Holy Family sought a place to stay - are seeking legislative
shelter, "Posada."

* The Archdiocese of Washington, DC - Walk with Mary - December 14, 11:30 - 4:30.
The Archdiocese of Washington's annual Walk with Mary [[link removed]]
procession and Mass to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, with
the theme "Under Her Mantle."

* The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego - Annual Posada - December 14, 2:30 -
4:00 pm at the Border Field State Park Friendship Park. Join the Diocese of San
Diego for their annual Posada. Please see their website [[link removed]]
for more information on the event.

* Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) - January 25-28, 2020 in Washington,
DC. Join the annual gathering of national Catholic organizations that brings together
leaders in Catholic social ministry from across the U.S. To register or for more
information, visit the CSMG website [[link removed]].
In Solidarity,
Todd Scribner
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3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017
Phone: (202) 541-3165 Fax: (202) 722-8711
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