JFI Colleagues,

Please see below for the latest updates from JFI.

General Announcements

Updated Resource: District Court Rules Against Biden Administration’s Asylum Restrictions
On July 25, 2023, a federal district court in California found the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule promulgated by the Biden Administration in May to be in violation of U.S. law. More about the rule, the ongoing litigation, its implications, and the USCCB’s position is explained in USCCB/MRS’ updated resource, available in both English and Spanish.

JFI Action Alerts

JFI has two active action alerts, one for the Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act (PVIYA) and another for the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA). In the last two weeks, Bishop Seitz sent letters on behalf of the USCCB in support of the AAA and PVIYA. The links for the action alerts are:

Stand in Solidarity with Our Afghan Neighbors

Please Safeguard Children and Ensure Access to Religious Workers

Please send the action alerts to your national networks and ask your advocates to send advocacy messages to their U.S. Senators and Representatives.

REMINDER: 2023 National Migration Week/World Day of Migrants and Refugees

National Migration Week will take place September 18 – 24 and concludes with the Vatican sponsored World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on September 24. This year’s theme, “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay,” shines a light on the root causes that drive migration. In preparation for this celebration, please take an opportunity to read Pope Francis’ WDMR message. Be sure to check out the Justice for Immigrant’s NMW page and toolkit, where we expand on the theme and suggest possible ways for your community to get involved.
PCMRT Invitation to Yakima, WA

The USCCB Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers (PCMRT) is organizing an Episcopal Encounter with Migrant Farmworkers on August 28-29, 2023, in the Diocese of Yakima, with visits to agricultural work sites, migrant housing and ministry locations, and times for prayer, reflection and exchange with migrants and leaders in ministries serving communities. For more information and to register, please see the flyer (right) or contact PCMRT staff, Madeline Watkins.
JFI Core Member News: Kerry Alys Robinson Appointed Catholic Charities USA President and CEO

Kerry Alys Robinson, a renowned expert in Catholic leadership and philanthropy, will serve as the next president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.

When Robinson begins at CCUSA on August 23, 2023, she will become only the second layperson and second woman to guide the domestic humanitarian work of the Catholic Church in the United States. Robinson will succeed Sister Donna Markham OP, Ph.D., who is retiring this summer after nine years of transformational leadership.

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 August 1 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

  • Federal District Court Blocks Biden Asylum Rule
  • Justice Department Sues Texas Over Barrier In Rio Grande
  • Biden Administration to Launch Refugee Processing In Mexico
  • Republican Congressman Introduces Bill to Reform the H-2A, H-2B Programs

View the July 25 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

  • Biden Administration Has Paroled Over One-half Million Migrants Into the United States
  • USCIS Updates Policy Manual to Better Identify Permanent Resident Applicants for Public Charge Purposes

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 1 de agosto, que incluye:

  • Tribunal de Distrito Federal bloquea la regla de asilo de Biden
  • El Departamento de Justicia demanda a Texas por una barrera en el Río Grande
  • La administración Biden lanzará el procesamiento de refugiados en México
  • Un congresista republicano presenta un proyecto de ley para reformar los programas H-2A y H-2B

Ver la Actualización de Migración del CMS del 25 de julio, que incluye:

  • La administración Biden ha concedido la libertad condicional a más de medio millón de inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos
  • USCIS actualiza el manual de políticas para identificar mejor a los solicitantes de residencia permanente con fines de carga pública

Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Agency Executives
Texas Catholic Bishops Address Border Tragedies: Statement
Welcome by C. Mario Russell, Executive Director – Center for Migration Studies of New York: Statement
Notable New Publications, Reports, Films, Articles, Etc.

Donald Kerwin, executive editor of the Journal on Migration and Human Security: A Blueprint for Addressing the Immigration Court Backlog

In an article for Law360, Donald Kerwin lays out a blueprint to address the immigration court backlog, which has significantly increased the waiting times for immigrants in a number of categories. Kerwin, who co-authored a Center for Migration Studies of New York report on the subject, concludes that the inefficiency of the court represents a systemic failure of the US immigration system generally, which he argues is in urgent need of reform. Kerwin makes several recommendations to address the backlog, including increased funding for Congress for immigration judges and the use of enforcement priorities to screen cases, eliminating low-priority cases. He also suggests that Congress should pass legislation to address visa backlogs, authorizing the issuance of unused visas.

UNHCR: Global Trends Report 2022

Released annually, the latest UNHCR Global Trends report presents key statistical trends and the latest official statistics on refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people worldwide. At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing public order.

National Immigration Law Center: Reducing Barriers, Improving Outcomes: Using Federal Opportunities to Expand Health Care Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency

The United States’ health care system consistently fails people whose primary language is not English, frequently known as individuals with limited English proficiency. These breakdowns result in increases in both unnecessary care due to misdiagnoses and poor health outcomes. Luckily, there are clear and actionable policy interventions that Congress and federal agencies can take to address these health disparities. By increasing the quality of languages services, making them more available, and strengthening both provider and patient understanding of existing rights and tools, we can improve the health of millions of families in the U.S. Read this new report to learn more.

Other Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Resources

  • CLINIC Free Webinar: Assisting Afghan Nationals with Re-parole and Beyond, August 10, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern. DHS has announced a new streamlined re-parole process for certain Afghan nationals who were paroled into the United States on or after July 30, 2021. In this webinar, CLINIC staff will provide an overview of the re-parole process and how it works, examine the differences in the re-parole process between individuals who have pending applications for permanent benefits and those who do not, explore best practices for preparing and submitting Form I-131, discuss employment authorization issues under the re-parole process, and address frequently asked questions about this program. CLINIC staff will also address both affirmative and defensive asylum filings for Afghans. The webinar is free but pre-registration is required.
  • Franciscan Action Network (FAN) Invitation: 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, August 26, 2023. Join FAN staff and members at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington on Saturday Aug. 26th in Washington DC. As the nation reckons with historic levels of violent hate crimes and threats to its democracy, this anniversary march continues efforts to uphold civil rights, freedom, equality, and justice. Email us for meet-up information.
  • Center for Migration Studies (CMS) Fall 2023 Communications Internship: CMS is accepting applications for its Communications Internship. This internship will provide different insights into CMS and the work we’re producing through our various channels. If you are interested in graphic design, social media and content management, and other online workflows, you will find a home in our team. This internship provides professional development opportunities for students and young professionals interested in migration and policy developments. CMS is a mission-driven workplace filled with opportunities to learn, explore new ideas, and build new skills.
  • Salesian Province of Canada and the Eastern United States Employment Opportunity: The office of youth and young adult ministry is hiring an office support manager, who will report directly to the province delegate of youth ministry and the director of vocation ministry. The new hire will directly assist the province delegate of youth ministry and director of vocation ministry in administrative tasks and functions for all youth ministry sectors, including school network, volunteering, Salesian Social America Network integral ecology, and formation for ministry project. Please contact Fr. Lou Molinelli, SDB for more information.