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“Promoting a Church and a World for All” – National Migration Week 2020 January 7th, 2020
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
This week the U.S Catholic Church is celebrating National Migration Week, an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the conditions confronting migrants, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) holders, Refugees, migrant children, recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and victims and survivors of Human Trafficking.
The theme for this year’s observance 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. During this National Migration Week, we are all invited to celebrate the immigrant heritage story of the Church and continue to show solidarity with immigrants and refugees as our brothers and sisters.
- Learn more about how you can join and stand in solidarity and support vulnerable migrant and refugees in need: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/
National Migration Week ends on January 11th, which happens to be Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to being taken advantage of by traffickers.
Learn about the connection between migration and trafficking through this education module developed by US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking.
Update: House Passes Legislation to help Dreamers and TPS Holders June 6th, 2019
On June 4, the U.S House of Representative passed H.R 4 or American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. This bill if signed in law would offer permanent legal protection to “Dreamers” and those covered by the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs in the United States. It would also provide a pathway to citizenship for qualifying Dreamers, TPS holders and those covered by DED. Faith communities including the U.S Catholic Bishops Conference have supported and welcomed the passage of American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.
Immigration: Dream Act of 2019 April 2nd, 2019
A bipartisan bill entitled the Dream Act of 2019 (S. 874) was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2019. If passed, the Dream Act of 2019 would provide some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other Dreamers a path to earn lawful permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship in the only country they have ever known since childhood.
Additionally, on March 12, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6) was introduced in the House of Representatives and has more than 200 co-sponsors. The American Dream and Promise Act would provide qualified DACA recipients protection from deportation and an earned pathway to citizenship. American Dream and Promise Act would also provide lawful permanent resident status for eligible individuals from countries designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
Many religious leaders and organizations have endorsed the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. They are urging concerned citizens to pray and advocate on the issue and are calling on elected leaders to muster up the moral courage to pass the bills. His Holiness Pope Francis continues to call for a change of attitude towards migrants and refugees fleeing violence and famine. He also cautions against creating barriers or inciting ‘fear of other’.
URGENT: Ask your U.S. Representative to vote NO! on HR 4760 and HR 6136 June 20th, 2018
(Action alert developed by USCCB Justice for Immigrants)
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are voting on June 21st to pass H.R. 4760 and H.R. 6136. We join Justice for Immigrants (JFI) and other faith groups in recommending that Representatives vote NO on both bills.
Both of these bills address DACA eligible youth, but require drastic cuts to family-based immigration and eradicate protections for unaccompanied children and asylum seekers. Here are some of our concerns:
HR 4760
- H.R. 4760 does not include a pathway to citizenship for the limited number of DACA recipients eligible for protection.
- H.R. 4760 fails to adequately address family separation and will lead to increases in child and family detention.
- H.R. 4760 heightens the asylum “credible fear” standard and will undermine existing and critical protections for unaccompanied children.
HR 6136
- H.R. 6136 fails to adequately address family separation and will lead to increases in child and family detention.
- H.R. 6136 heightens the asylum “credible fear” standard and will undermine existing and critical protections for unaccompanied children.
Visit Justice for Immigrants’ (JFI) website to send this action alert to your U.S. House members.
Here are two new resources and more in depth-backgrounders from JFI on the two bills. Also visit JFI’s DACA/Dreamer Resource page:
H.R. 6136 -One page background of some points of the bill.
H.R. 4760– One page background of some points on the bill.
Protect Migrant Dreamers: Support “Uniting and Securing America” (USA) Act of 2018 May 11th, 2018
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate–JPIC has joined other faith-based organizations in support of the bipartisan Uniting and Securing America Act (USA) Act, H.R. 4796 (a bill similar to the Dream Act). This bill will also provide migrant Dreamers with a path to citizenship and address the push factors of migration from Central America.
The USA Act 2018 has over 48 bipartisan original cosponsors. If passed into law, it would provide Dreamers who have lived in the U.S. for at least four years, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, the opportunity to earn permanent legal status if they meet certain requirements, for e.g. if they pursue higher education, enlist in the military, are gainfully employed, and meet other additional requirements. The bill also strengthens border security through the use of technology and development of a comprehensive southern border strategy.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports both the Dream Act and the USA Act 2018. They strongly urge you to make your faithful voice heard.
Take Action and let your House of Representatives know of your support. Urge them to take legislative action on both the USA Act and the Dream Act.
