This is a series of updates related to immigration reform issues affecting Georgians with particular recognition of the potential impact from federal legislation now being considered in Congress.
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 22
Sister Norma has no intention of stopping her ministry at the border. Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville, TX, and Sister Donna Markham, O.P., the president and C.E.O. of Catholic Charities USA, have become the targets for the anger of anti-migrant forces near the Texas – … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report no. 21
Pope Francis continues to support migrants throughout the world. For the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis called on everyone to work together to build a more inclusive and fraternal future. “Migrants are to be welcomed, accompanied, supported and integrated,” he said on Sept. 25. The ground under DACA continues to shift. The … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 20
Do no harm. The Biden administration has proposed regulations under the Affordable Care Act which will interfere with health care services provided by Catholic organizations and other faith based ministries. See the flyer that can share the alert. Ask the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to act in a way that provides non-discriminatory … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 19
Pray with Pope Francis. Every month, Pope Francis asks prayers for a specific intention. The Georgia Catholic Conference in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Disabilities Ministry and Georgia Catholics Against the Death Penalty has supported bills in the Georgia General Assembly to end the death penalty in Georgia or, at least, restrict its application. See for … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 17
Reflections on an immersion experience. Anyone who has not traveled the road of asylum seekers cannot appreciate the emotions that arise. An advocacy attorney for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) chose to accompany a group of seekers led by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the Columban Mission Center. Read Elnora Bassey’s … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 16
U.S. Supreme Court opinions. The United States Supreme Court has issued several opinions that are significant to the Church and its people. Each of these cases will have an impact and they will all affect legislation at the federal and state level in the coming years. Dobbs v. Jackson health system overturned Roe v. Wade, … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 15
DACA was intended as temporary. When the Obama administration adopted the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) program in 2012, it was intended as a temporary program to defer deportation of young people who had been brought to the United States as children. Unfortunately, despite various proposals, there has been no permanent legislative help for these … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 14
Congratulations to Cardinal-Elect Robert McElroy. As bishop of San Diego, Cardinal-elect McElroy is responsible for a diocese which serves many of the immigrants passing through from Mexico. Read more here. Did you know that CLINIC has a state and local immigration project? Most law related to immigration is federal in nature, but there are important … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 13
Pray for the children. We all grieve for the children and adults killed in Texas last week. There are no words that are adequate. Watch Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily regarding his tragedy and stay to pray the Franciscan litany for peace at the end of the homily. Pope Francis prays and calls for action on guns. … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 12
When will the Supreme Court issue the final opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Care Organization? Speculation continues as to when the final order will be issued in the case that may reverse Roe v. Wade. The short answer is that no one outside the court knows for sure. We know that the court … Read more
Governmental policy and legislation report No. 11
Topics included in this report: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Care Organization, Ukraine Catholic Update, USCIS temporary final rule
Governmental policy and legislation report No.10
“Immigration reform and the church’s voice” is a new report out now from USCCB Migration and Refugee Services that highlights some of the challenges confronting efforts to bring about positive immigration reform and the church’s effort to bring meaningful reform. Read the report here. Ukraine updates Justice for Immigrants maintains a frequently updated resource page … Read more