JFI Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Calls for Immigration Reform that Recognizes the ‘Inviolable Dignity’ of All Newcomers  

Observing how recent responses to migrants demonstrate “the troubling convergence of our broken immigration system and the political divisions of our time,” Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a reflection on the Catholic Church’s enduring commitment to comprehensive immigration reform and welcoming the stranger as part of its unwavering defense of human life in all its forms. The issues referenced by the Bishop included “coordinated efforts to transport migrants—and in some cases intentionally deceive them—in furtherance of outcomes that are unbecoming of a moral society” and “the preservation and even expansion of policies such as Title 42, which unjustly deny access to humanitarian protections that were enshrined in law as a response to horrors witnessed during the twentieth century.” Bishop Dorsonville’s full reflection, “Migration and the Judgement of the Nations,” is available here. 

Administration Launches New Limited Parole Program for Venezuelans 

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new program for Venezuelan nationals seeking to enter the United States. This program is the result of recent negotiations with the Mexican government, and it is contingent on Mexico accepting more Venezuelan nationals removed from the United States, either under Title 42 or alternative authorities. The program is generally modeled after Uniting for Ukraine, such that a U.S.-based sponsor will be required to initiate an application for this program on behalf of a Venezuelan and beneficiaries will enter the United States with a two-year grant of humanitarian parole. However, unlike Uniting for Ukraine, there are a number of other requirements and factors prohibiting eligibility. Moreover, the program will also be capped at 24,000 for the time being. As with all humanitarian parolees, beneficiaries of this program will be eligible to apply for work authorization, but they will not have a direct means to apply for permanent status in the United States, having to rely instead on affirmative asylum, family-based adjustment of status, etc. A Federal Register notice laying out the program was published on October 19. More information, including the application process, is available online from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

While welcoming of new opportunities for vulnerable persons to seek humanitarian protection, USCCB/MRS has numerous concerns about this program and a continued reliance on humanitarian parole, versus other, more sustainable and stable pathways, such as the Refugee Admissions Program. Also of concern are the disparities and complexities inherent in an increasing number of programs developed for specific nationalities. USCCB/MRS is generally opposed to such a piecemeal approach (accepting that it is sometimes necessary in response to emergency situations), as it undermines equity and the God-given dignity shared by every person seeking protection, regardless of race or country of origin. Together with its partners, USCCB/MRS is continuing to advocate with the Administration and Congress to bring these concerns to their attention. 

Reminder: Complete and Share JFI’s Action Alert in Support of the Afghan Adjustment Act 

With the bipartisan introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S. 4787) in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, JFI has launched an action alert in support of the bill. If you have not done so already, please demonstrate your concern for our new Afghan neighbors and at-risk Afghans abroad by completing and sharing this action alert. The action alert also includes various resources related to the Afghan Adjustment Act, such as a section-by-section breakdown of the bill. 



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 October 19 CMS Migration Update, which includes: 

• US District Judge Ruled that the DACA Program May Continue Temporarily 
• DHS Announced a New Migration Enforcement Process and Humanitarian Parole Program for Venezuelans 
• Texas Sheriff Certified Migrants Flown to Martha’s Vineyard as Crime Victims Making Them Eligible for U Visas 
• DHS Will Supplement the H-2B Visa Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for FY 2023 and Create a Worker Protection Taskforce 

View the October 12 CMS Migration Update, which includes: 

• The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upheld a Lower Court Ruling that Declared the DACA Program Unlawful and Remanded the Case to that Court to Consider the Future of the Program 
• NYC Mayor Eric Adams Declares a State of Emergency Due to Record Homelessness after an Influx of Migrants Were Bused to the City
• DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Announced that the Biden Administration’s Family Reunification Task Force Reunited More Than 500 Children with Their Families

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 de 19 de octubre, que incluye: 

• Juez de distrito de EE. UU. dictaminó que el programa DACA puede continuar temporalmente 
• El DHS anunció un nuevo proceso de cumplimiento de la migración y un programa de libertad condicional humanitaria para los venezolanos 
• Sheriff de Texas Certifica a Migrantes Volados a Martha's Vineyard como Víctimas de Crimen Haciéndolos Elegibles para Visas U 
• El DHS complementará el límite de visas H-2B con casi 65,000 visas adicionales para el año fiscal 2023 y creará un grupo de trabajo para la protección de los trabajadores

Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS de 12 de octubre, que incluye: 

• El Tribunal de Apelaciones del Quinto Circuito confirmó un fallo de un tribunal inferior que declaró ilegal el programa DACA y remitió el caso a ese tribunal para considerar el futuro del programa
• El alcalde de la ciudad de Nueva York, Eric Adams, declaró un estado de emergencia debido al récord de personas sin hogar después de que una afluencia de inmigrantes fueron transportados en autobús a la ciudad
• El secretario del DHS, Alejandro Mayorkas, anunció que el grupo de trabajo de reunificación familiar de la administración Biden reunió a más de 500 niños con sus familias 

Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops and Agency Executives 

Fort Worth Star Telegram Op-Ed by Bishop Michael Olson: Compassion, not chaos, must govern policy toward migrants and refugees at U.S. border

Center for Migration Studies: On The Transport of Migrants from the Border

Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and HOPE Border Institute Announcement: ‘Border Refugee Assistance Fund’ to Aid Migrants at the US-Mexico Border 

Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc.

Center for Migration Studies: Demographic Profile of Undocumented Hispanic Immigrants in the United States   

The latest CMS report presents a demographic profile of undocumented Hispanic immigrants living in the United States, which make up the largest undocumented immigrant population in the country. Despite having relatively low levels of education, Hispanic undocumented immigrants have high labor force participation and employment rates, especially in essential occupations. Nevertheless, lack of legal status still serves as a barrier for many, who face wage gaps and are excluded from social safety nets despite their economic contribution. CMS estimates that approximately 21,036,500 immigrants of Hispanic origin live in the United States, of which 7,410,000 are undocumented.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

• Diocese of Arlington (VA) Eucharistic Symposium: “Do this in remembrance of me,” October 22, 2022 at 9 AM. Bishop Michael Burbidge cordially invites you to attend a Eucharistic Symposium led by the Most Reverend Charles Chaput, Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia, highlighting the Year of the Eucharist of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee. Registration is free; space is limited.

• Marian Shrine – Stony Point, NY Event: Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother, October 22, 2022. Join us at this “extraordinary pilgrimage” in viewing a video filmed at the Holy Land that reveals Mary’s unique role in God’s kingdom and in our lives. See the website for more information. 

• Pastoral Migratoria “Keep Hope Alive Benefit”, Monday October 24, 2022 at St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago). The Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity Immigration Ministry invites you to join Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Jorge Ramirez and Reverend Clete Kiley for the premier benefit and celebration supporting the Archdiocese of Chicago’s local Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria. Keep Hope Alive 2022 is the premier benefit and celebration of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration Ministry and National Pastoral Migratoria. Now more than ever the immigrant community both here in the Archdiocese of Chicago and across the U.S. needs the leadership formation and accompaniment that Pastoral Migratoria provides. You can learn more about “Keep Hope Alive” and how you can support them at their event website.

• Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Immigration and Refugees Services Community of Practice Monthly Meeting, October 26, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern. Please join us for the CCUSA Immigration and Refugee Services Community of Practice meetings. During these meetings, we will hear from the field about pressing issues in the Immigration and Refugee Services and receive a policy update from CCUSA, MRS/USCCB, and CLINIC. Register in advance.

• Pax Christi USA Conversation with Michael J. O'Loughlin, author of Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 8 PM ET. This is one journalist’s compelling picture of those quiet heroes who responded to human suffering when so much of society told them to look away. Pre-registration is required. 

• CMS 2022 Hybrid Academic and Policy Symposium, November 9, 2022 at 9 AM - 5 PM Eastern. Join CMS for its annual Academic & Policy Symposium. This hybrid event will take place at the law offices of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, with virtual access for those unable to attend in person. This year’s theme is Building Our Common Home: Honoring the Dignity and Resilience of Migrants. The CMS 2022 Hybrid Gala will follow in the evening. Click here to register and purchase your tickets. For the latest agenda and list of speakers, click here.

• CMS 2022 Hybrid Gala, November 9, 2022 at 6 PM Eastern. Join CMS as we celebrate another successful year of promoting evidence-based public policies that protect the rights of migrants and refugees. This hybrid event will take place at The View at the Battery, with virtual access for those unable to attend in person. This year’s gala theme is Building Our Common Home: Honoring the Dignity and Resilience of Migrants. Click here to register and purchase your tickets. For participants and individuals who would like to help sponsor the event, click here to see our sponsorship opportunities.

• CLINIC Webinar: Religious Worker Advocacy and Updates, November 14, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern. In this webinar the panelists will provide an overview of the R-1 visa process and discuss recent updates affecting religious workers. Learn more and register. 

In solidarity,

Tony Cube

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.