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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Care Organization. In response to the widely discussed draft Supreme Court opinion on the Dobbs case related to overturning Roe v. Wade, Archbishop William Lori, USCCB Pro-life Committee chair, released an statement that emphasized the need for prayer, fasting and outreach to women in need. Likewise, Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer of … Read more
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“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
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Blessed and happy Easter to all as we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and other areas experiencing armed conflict around the world. Welcoming and protecting refugees. The world is experiencing rapidly increasing numbers of refugees. In the media, they may be portrayed as criminals, terrorists and worse, but through Christian eyes, they are … Read more
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Keep Ukraine in your prayers. Read the stories of seven who fled and visit http://justiceforimmigrants.org/Ukraine/ for all the latest information today! The Georgia General Assembly completed its 2022 session on April 4. Below are significant results from that 40 day session. Bills that have passed can be vetoed by the Governor within forty days from … Read more
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Congratulations to Bishop-designate Jacques Fabre, C.S. Read more about the new bishop of Charleston, SC, particularly his service in Georgia. Bishop-designate Fabre is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles – known as Scalabrinians – an international community of religious serving migrants and refugees of different cultures, religions and ethnicities in … Read more
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Restrictions on chemical abortions. SB 456 (formerly identified as SB 315) imposes restrictions on the use of abortion-inducing drugs which may now be administered without professional medical supervision. The bill would require that a qualified physician examine the pregnant woman in person. No abortion pills or chemical could be delivered by courier, delivery or mail … Read more
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Human trafficking and COVID. Human trafficking is still with us and only made worse by the COVID pandemic. Learn about the impact of COVID on human trafficking in a free webinar offered by Catholic Hospital Association, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Register for Wednesday, February … Read more
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Welcome to change. The focus of this report over the last several years has been public policy changes and advocacy directly related to our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters. It is now time to broaden our focus and report on governmental policy and legislation that affect the common good of all, including immigrants, refugees … Read more
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Fratelli Tutti. The encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, by Pope Francis speaks extensively to the subject of migration and integration. See the significant sections identified by Justice for Immigrants. Human trafficking. Pope Francis says “Human trafficking is a crime against all humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime.” Justice for Immigrants … Read more
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Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG). Registration is now open for CSMG, a virtual gathering with outstanding speakers on all aspects of Catholic social justice. Live presentations will be offered from January 29 through February 1. Speakers include our former archbishop, Cardinal Wilton Gregory. Registration is only $50.00 for the whole program. See details here. Let … Read more
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Do not fall for dishonest tricks of scammers! Immigration laws and rules can be confusing. Even well-meaning people can give poor advice, but there are dishonest notarios who give the wrong advice only to take your money. Look for qualified attorneys and representatives from among CLINIC affiliates. Watch for the signs of incompetent or dishonest … Read more
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Fratelli Tutti. The latest encyclical from Pope Francis discusses migration extensively. See a summary of the migration sections and a workbook from Justice for Immigrants here. Justice for Immigrants Action Center – No more delay. The Catholic bishops and people of the United States have advocated for an immigration reform, especially a reform that creates … Read more
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October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Justice for Immigrants has an inspiring set of meditations to pray the rosary for vulnerable populations. See a full week of the meditations here. Real people of Afghanistan. The media carries a lot about Afghanistan, but here is an opportunity to hear directly from people from Afghanistan … Read more
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80,000 green cards have gone to waste. In the complicated calculus that governs immigration, the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30 saw the transfer of an estimated 80,000 green card applications, some of whom have been waiting years for the opportunity to apply for citizenship. The applications were delayed because of increased … Read more
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Reduced Department of Justice (DOJ) resources adversely affect low-income parties in immigration proceedings. Non-profit organizations representing low-income individuals in immigration administrative proceedings may offer trained “accredited representatives” to their clients. The accredited representatives act much like attorneys in assisting clients, but they must be accredited by the DOJ. Approval of applications is now taking seventeen … Read more
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“Title 42 Regulations” have been used since March 2020 to turn away refugees at the southern border. These regulations have been used to turn away virtually all refugees at the southern border without proper legal review based on unsubstantiated claims of poor health. Advocates and legal scholars have decried implementation of these regulations as a … Read more
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World Day for Migrants and Refugees is Sun., September 26. Commemorate the day designated by Pope Francis with the resources offered by Justice for Immigrants. The theme this year is “For An Ever Wider ‘We.’” Pope Francis: Welcome immigrants and refugees. During his apostolic visit to Hungary and Slovakia, the Holy Father challenged developed countries … Read more
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How to help Afghan refugees. Thousands of Afghan refugees are being housed in the United States and at other locations around the world. See Justice for Immigrants resource page. For local opportunities, see Catholic Charities Atlanta. Haitians also need help. Although other news has pushed the earthquake and hurricane in Haiti off the front page, … Read more