Don’t forget to pray. Our own dioceses provide resources for the time of
COVID-19 isolation: Atlanta and Savannah.  Pray also for migrants: CLINIC.

What immigrant supportive activities can I do at home? Even while isolated at home, there are ways to support immigrants.

Request a ballot. Voting by mail is a two-step process. You must first mail a request for a ballot and, when you receive the ballot, complete the form and mail it before the election date. If you are eligible to vote, be sure to complete both steps to have your vote counted. See instructions here.  

Complete the census questionnaire. Every resident of the United States must be counted in the 2020 census, including those who are not documented. The results of the census determine representation in Congress and the allocation of many federal benefits. Only one person in a household needs to complete the form for all persons living there. If you have not been counted, the official questionnaire can be completed on line at https://my2020census.gov/. Read this information about the protection of your personal information.

Stay up to date on immigration and refugee issues related to COVID-19. Keep yourself and those around you safe. Justice for Immigrants provides updated information directed to the particular issues related to the effects of COVID-19 on immigrants and refugees.

Naturalization can be processed remotely. For those eligible for naturalized citizenship, the process can be accomplished remotely. Help yourself or seek those who can help. There is no need to wait because of isolation or quarantine.

Sponsoring an unaccompanied child out of federal custody is a great service of justice. If you are considering sponsoring an unaccompanied minor out of federal custody during this time of COVID-19 crisis, read this information from CLINIC. 

ICYMI – Return to the office better informed. In addition to working remotely, use time at home to increase your knowledge of immigration issues. Justice for Immigrants maintains an online archive of webinars. Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) also offers a variety of toolkits to broaden your knowledge of ways to help immigrants and refugees.

Immigrants are among the COVID-19 heroes. There are many well deserved comments directed toward those in the forefront of the battle against the suffering caused by the coronavirus, but keep in mind and in your prayers the many immigrants serving in the medical professions, 29 percent of all physicians and 38 percent of home health aides are foreign born. At the same time, the foreign born are substantial parts of other service industries which are being affected hard by the spread of coronavirus, including, hospitality, construction, home service and child care. See this page from the Migration Policy Institute with its downloadable fact sheet. Immigration policy has, in fact, become a crisis within a crisis. Learn more here. Unfortunately, the federal stimulus provides virtually nothing for the undocumented even though their susceptibility to the coronavirus can spread infection.

Return to the office better informed. In addition to working remotely, use time at home to increase your knowledge of immigration issues. Justice for Immigrants maintains an online archive of webinars. Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) also offers a variety of toolkits to broaden your knowledge of ways to help immigrants and refugees.

A loved one in detention? There is always concern when a loved one is in immigration detention, but fear increases dramatically as coronavirus spreads. Migrant Freedom has launched a #COVID19 Detention Hotline. Advocates and loved ones can call to confidentially report on conditions inside ICE jails and prisons. Dial 209-757-3733 to connect with a hotline volunteer.

ICYMI -What do you want to know about COVID-19 and immigrants? Refugees and immigrants, whether documented or not, are at greater risk than others from the COVID-19 pandemic. All refugees, immigrants and others who lack health insurance and access to affordable health care often cannot get the testing or treatment that would protect them and their family members. Also, all those who have limited resources are likely to go to work even when they have symptoms of the disease and expose others to infection. Justice for Immigrants has pulled together resource links to help refugees, migrants and their supporters with accurate information.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and immigrants. All are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but particularly the marginalized, such as refugees and immigrants around the world and in the United States. Catholic Legal Immigration Network CLINIC, Catholic Charities USA, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other advocates have asked the federal government to remove barriers to health care and to make additional funding available for those without health coverage during the time of the Coronavirus crisis. Without such support, many immigrants, refugees and poor will lose their lives. See some resources here.  

Resources are available, but watch for scams. Accurate information about the virus is available online, but look for reliable sites to help immigrant and other populations in your parish. The Archdiocese of Atlanta has developed a special section on their website dedicated to provide health and spiritual resources. Information from the Diocese of Savannah is also available here. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia offers information that is frequently updated. Catholic Legal Immigration Network CLINIC provides information related to immigrants and refugees.  

The census of the United States population is near. The 2020 Census is rapidly approaching and robust participation in every community will have significant impact on your community’s congressional representation and amount of federal funding received. See available flyers in English and Spanish here. The entire population must be counted including those who may be present without documentation. Citizenship questions are not asked. Information is strictly confidential and cannot be used against anyone who responds. See explanatory resources here.

Welcome Archbishop Hartmayer to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Archbishop Hartmayer is a member of the board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and has been a strong advocate for migrating people. The Georgia Catholic Conference will continue to support his efforts.

Labeling for Lent.  How can you affect human trafficking beyond our borders? The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) is asking seafood producers, distributors and seafood retailers to make public, through packaged product labeling, their efforts to fight human trafficking in their product supply chains. Learn about human trafficking in the seafood industry and ways you can advocate for sisters and brothers being enslaved on the high seas here.

Immigrant workers have rights in the workplace. Don’t allow immigrants to be bullied or harassed in the workplace. Immigrant have rights under federal and state civil rights laws. See CLINIC’s informative resources here.

Pray for immigration attorneys and advocates. In the current political and regulatory climate, immigration advocacy is extremely stressful for those on the front lines defending and helping immigrants. See for example this case. Pray for all those dedicating their lives to justice for immigrants.

Important information regarding the 2020 Census from Justice for Immigrants:

Census 2020: Resources on Information Sharing and Immigrant Participation

Starting March 12th, households will begin receiving information about how to participate in the 2020 Census. As the U.S. government utilizes the Census to count population and accumulate the demographic data necessary to allocate federal funds and inform policy decisions, it is vital that all actively participate. 

Unfortunately, there are concerns that participation will be low this year over fears related the Trump administration’s failed efforts to insert a citizenship question and other data sharing concerns. In order to educate yourself about the information sharing possible through Census 2020 participation, please see our census data and information sharing resources in English and en Español.

Please also look out for JFI’s upcoming backgrounder about Census Participation and Access to DMV Records! 

Proposed deployment of border patrol tactical units to Atlanta and other cities. The administration has announced plans to deploy border patrol tactical units to help the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Atlanta in the next six months. Catholic Legal Immigration Network recommends that you register your opposition to this action. A convenient way to register your concern is found at https://p2a.co/WE6G3wR

A Lenten focus on refugees. Looking on a way to focus your Lenten practices on the needs of refugees. Join the Jesuit Refugee Service Lenten Prayer Guide, 40 Prayers for 40 days.

ICYMI – Immigrants and human trafficking. Migrating people, especially those without documentation, are particularly susceptible to recruiters for human traffickers. Do not forget the indicators of trafficking for sexual or labor purposes. To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hot Line call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).

The fate of the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) program is in the hands of the Supreme Court. In the near future, the court will hear arguments on a case challenging the administration’s ending the DACA program. Get up to date information on the issues and what DACA recipients can do here. Remember that all previous JFI webinars are posted on their website.