JFI Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.



Pope Names New Auxilliary Bishop for El Paso

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Anthony C. Celino as auxiliary bishop of El Paso. Originally an immigrant from the Philippines, Bishop-elect Celino is a priest of the Diocese of El Paso and currently serves as judicial vicar, director of the diocesan tribunal, and as pastor of St. Raphael parish in El Paso, Texas. 

Of the appointment of Bishop-elect Celino, Crux Magazine wrote:

 

In a move that adds to the growing profile of Bishop Mark Seitz and recognizes the U.S. Catholic Church’s epochal shift to the southwest, the Vatican has given the Diocese of El Paso an auxiliary bishop for the first time in its 108-year history. 



New Resource Related to Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans 

On January 5, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced new measures to “improve border security, limit irregular migration, and create additional processes for individuals fleeing humanitarian crises to lawfully enter the United States.” Included among these measures is the ability for certain nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who have U.S.-based supporters to enter the United States temporarily with humanitarian parole; this was coupled with the expansion of Title 42, as well as a plan to increase the use of expedited removal and further limit asylum eligibility. Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement welcoming the new pathways and expressing concern for the government’s continued reliance on harmful policies.  

USCCB/MRS has created a resource in both English and Spanish discussing the new parole process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.  

St Bakhita: A Saint for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking Webinar 

In commemoration of the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, which takes place every February 8, USCCB/MRS hosted a webinar that highlighted the life of St. Bakhita, her journey from slavery to being a saint, and the Church's fight against slavery in the modern world. When you have a chance, be sure to watch the recording of the webinar and circulate to others who might be interested in this timely and important topic. Should you have any questions about the USCCB/MRS anti-trafficking program, please reach out to Felicitas Brugo Onetti at [email protected]  

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 February 15 CMS Migration Update, which includes: 

• USCIS Updated Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation for Certain Green Card Applicants 
• The Department of Labor (DOL) Expanded OSHA’s Authority to Issue Certifications to Support U and T Nonimmigrant Visa Applications 
• Florida Senate Passed a Bill that Approved a Program to Relocate Undocumented Immigrants to Democratic-led States and Sanctuary Cities 
• San Diego County Will Develop a Plan to Respond to the Possible Influx of Asylum Seekers if Title 42 is Lifted

View the February 8 CMS Migration Update, which includes: 

• The Biden Administration Urged the Supreme Court to Dismiss a Case That Will Consider Whether to End the Title 42 Policy 
• DHS Announced That Its Family Reunification Task Force Successfully Reunited Over 600 Children With Their Families 
• USCIS Extended Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and Eligibility for Employment Authorization for Hong Kongers 
• Nine States Filed a Lawsuit with the US District Court of the Southern District of Texas Requesting to End the DACA Program in Its Entirety 
• Florida Grand Jury Requested that State Lawmakers Limit Releases of Undocumented Immigrants from County Jails and Rescind Certain State Laws Allowing It

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 15 de febrero, que incluye: 

• USCIS actualizó el cálculo de edad de la Ley de protección del estado del niño (CSPA) para ciertos solicitantes de la tarjeta verde 
• El Departamento de Trabajo (DOL) amplió la autoridad de OSHA para emitir certificaciones para respaldar las solicitudes de visas de no-inmigrante U y T 
• El Senado de Florida aprobó un proyecto de ley que aprobó un programa para reubicar a inmigrantes indocumentados en estados liderados por demócratas y ciudades santuario 
• El condado de San Diego desarrollará un plan para responder a la posible afluencia de solicitantes de asilo si se levanta el Título 42 

Ver a Actualización de Migración del CMS del 8 de febrero, que incluye: 

• La administración de Biden instó a la Corte Suprema a desestimar un caso que considerará poner un fin a la política del Título 42 
• El DHS anunció que su grupo de trabajo de reunificación familiar reunió con éxito a más de 600 niños con sus familias 
• USCIS extendió Salida Forzada Diferida (DED) y elegibilidad para autorización de empleo para hongkoneses 
• Nueve estados presentaron una demanda ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los EE. UU. del Distrito Sur de Texas solicitando finalizar el programa DACA en su totalidad 
• El Gran Jurado de Florida solicitó que los legisladores estatales limiten las liberaciones de inmigrantes indocumentados de las cárceles del condado y rescindan ciertas leyes estatales que lo permiten



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

J. Kevin Appleby, Acting Executive Director - Center for Migration Studies of New York

Immigration in the 118th Congress: Is There Common Ground?

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

Center for Migration Studies

Climate Migration and the Future of Immigration Policy in the United States 

Humans have always moved because of changes in their environment. Historically this meant following food or access to better resources, but today, for those displaced by slow-onset environmental degradation or profound environmental catastrophe, movement is necessary and life-saving – purportedly. As the conversation around migration adapts and evolves to take into consideration new drivers of migration, the notion of ‘climate-induced migration’ and ‘climate refugees’ has emerged as a leading concern for many developing countries. The United States released a detailed report on the topic of climate migration in October 2021, but even up until and following the COP27, not much has been put into action, as the definition of “refugee” remains outdated and international protection schemes have failed to evolve to accommodate those fleeing environmental crises. Read this report to learn more about the possible future of U.S. immigration policy.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

• Franciscan Action Network and Other Faith Groups-Led Faith in Peace: A Concert for Ukraine, February 17, 2023 at 7:30 PM in Washington, DC. For those in the DC metro area, join Franciscan Action Network and other faith sponsors for Faith in Peace, a concert in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, this Friday, February 17. This concert will draw on faith traditions with a common love of peace at home and abroad. Proceeds will benefit United Help Ukraine, a non-profit organization that provides medical kits, generators, and other badly needed humanitarian supplies in Ukraine. We look forward to seeing you at the concert. 

• Interfaith Immigration Coalition Film Screening, Seeking Asylum, February 21, 2023 at 7 PM Eastern. Seeking Asylum bears witness to the endless deterrents migrants face when petitioning for asylum in the U.S. In a time of increased attacks on the rights and humanity of asylum seekers, this film powerfully follows one woman’s journey as she searches for safety for herself and her children. Join us for this exclusive screening followed by a panel discussion with leading asylum experts and the film’s creators. Reservations are required. 

• CLINIC and American Bar Association Webinar: Foreign-Born (R-1) Religious Worker Visas – Hot Topics and How You Can Advocate, February 27, 2023 at 12:30 PM Eastern. In this FREE webinar, the panelists will provide an overview of the R-1 visa process and discuss recent updates affecting religious workers. The webinar will also show attendees how to use CLINIC’s religious worker toolkit to help advocates push for effective policy change and to be treated equally to other employment-based categories. All who are interested in learning more about nonimmigrant religious workers may join the ABA Commission on Immigration, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, and CLINIC’s Religious Immigration Services attorneys and its Advocacy team for this training on religious worker immigration. Please register in advance. 

• Ignation Solidarity Network’s (ISN) Lenten Solidarity Series. For the upcoming Lenten 2023 Season, ISN has created a series of reflections to assist in keeping hope, justice and God’s presence at the center of lives in our chaotic world. Featured contributors to the the series will include Sr. Norma Pimentel, Joanna Williams, Joan Rosenhauer, and Fr. Greg Boyle SJ and others. Learn more and sign up now. 

In solidarity,

Tony Cube

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