What can the Pope teach about immigration? From the earliest days of his pontificate Pope Francis has called the human family to solidarity with migrating people. See a summary of what the pope is teaching.

Fratelli Tutti and immigration.  Fratelli Tutti, the encyclical of Pope Francis, extensively addresses the needs of immigrating people and the opportunity of all to love and care for them. See resources and study guide for exploring the issues from a Gospel perspective.   

Is there a “Crisis” at the border? Politicians characterize the situation at the border to fit their own narrative. Read an enlightening interview with the new executive director of the Hope Border Institute, a grass-roots organization sponsored by the Jesuits and guided by the tenets of Catholic social teaching. 

Human Trafficking. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr have actively supported anti-human trafficking efforts in Georgia. See the recent public service announcement they have released. In addition, see the resource page on human trafficking from Justice for Immigrants.

ICYMI – Do you want a “deep dive” into current immigration law and practice? Every year CLINIC offers a comprehensive set of seminars and courses analyzing the current state of the law. Never has it been more important to keep up to date as the new Biden administration makes changes instituted by the Trump administration. The annual convening will be virtual this year. See registration information at https://cliniclegal.org/training/convening.

New Americans Campaign. In 2011, a diverse nonpartisan national network of respected immigration organizations, legal services providers, faith-based organizations, immigrant rights groups, foundations and community leaders, including the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), founded the New Americans Campaign. Now ten years old, the campaign educates and informs those eligible for naturalization. See the benefits of naturalized citizenship and an introduction to the naturalization process here.

Border patrol processing specialists. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is, for the first time, fielding teams of social service workers to relieve some of the agents from non-enforcement duties. The first class of coordinators has graduated and will be assigned to give humanitarian services to detainees. Read more here.

Task force on Black immigrants needed. A group of over 100 advocacy groups, including CLINIC, are requesting that the Biden Administration establishes a high level task force on Black immigration issues. “Examining and addressing issues affecting Black immigrants in the U.S. immigration system is necessary to meaningfully address systemic, anti-Black racism in America, as the Biden administration has pledged to do. Accordingly, a Task Force and dedicated resources are needed to begin this crucial work.”

ICYMI – Justice for Immigrants.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors the Justice for Immigrants campaign. Make sure that you are not missing out on any of the new materials we are putting on the @USCCBJFI  website. See JFI transition documents and the new FAQs on recent executive actions. Go to http://justiceforimmigrants.org and scroll to the bottom of any page and fill out the form.

Who cares for the “unaccompanied children” after they cross the southern border? When children cross the border without adult accompaniment, Catholic Charities from the border dioceses and throughout the United States reach out with shelter and assistance in family reunification.

ICYMI – Do you want a “deep dive” into current immigration law and practice? Ever year CLINIC offers a comprehensive set of seminars and courses analyzing the current state of the law. Never has it been more important to keep up to date as the new Biden administration makes changes instituted by the Trump administration. The annual convening will be virtual this year. See registration information here.

Archbishop Hartmayer speaks on horrific murder of Asian women. People of good will were horrified by the violent deaths of eight people, six of whom were Asian. Our archbishop reacted with compassion and a request for prayer. He said, “We must speak up against any aggression and we must be active in our pursuit to end racism and discrimination of every kind.”

Pope Francis and migration. In his recent encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis surveyed the needs of migrating peoples. Study the Pope’s teaching with a guide prepared by Justice for Immigrants so that you can focus on immigration issues.

American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6). The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6. The federal bill is intended to make protection permanent for immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and who know no homeland but the United States. The bill would also establish a pathway to citizenship for these individuals. Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and incoming chair of the USCCB committee on migration, laid out the bishops’ support for the bill in a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary. Passage in the Senate remains problematic, but advocates are working to bring about legislative changes that have been needed since the Obama administration adopted a temporary policy for Deferred Enforcement for Childhood Arrival (DACA). See a detailed summary of the bill here.

ICYMI — Do you want a deep dive into immigration law and policy? This year, Catholic Legal Immigration Network is offering their four-day annual convening virtually. This is an excellent opportunity to learn without the expense of travel. See the details at here.

Justice for Immigrants. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors the Justice for Immigrants campaign. Make sure you are not missing out on any of the new materials we are putting on the @USCCBJFI website. See JFI transition documents and the new FAQs on recent executive actions. Go to http://justiceforimmigrants.org, scroll to the bottom of any page and fill out the form.

Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status given to eligible nationals of designated countries who are present in the United States and who come from some countries affected by armed conflict or natural disaster. Situations, which are often a matter of life and death because of the dangers these individuals will face if returning to their home countries. TPS allows persons to live and work in the United States for limited times. Currently, persons from 11countries are eligible for TPS. TPS has been extended for an additional eighteen months for Venezuelans, from March 9, 2021 to September 9, 2022 because of continuing conditions. Any one needing TPS should read this detailed information. Pro-immigrant leaders, including the USCCB and CLINIC, applauded the decision to extend TPS. See more here.

Biblical roots of migration. Migration is a political and social issue, but Bishop Mario Dorsonville also digs into the biblical reasons for supporting brothers and sisters who are forced to migrate.

Do you want a deep dive into immigration law and policy? This year, Catholic Legal Immigration Network is offering their four-day annual convening virtually. This is an excellent opportunity to learn without the expense of travel. See the details at here.

ICYMI – Pray the rosary during Lent. As you pray the mysteries of the rosary during Lent, and other times as well, remember our migrating brothers and sisters with the rosary for vulnerable migrants populations. 

Justice for Immigrants. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors the Justice for Immigrants campaign. Make sure you are not missing out on any of the new materials we are putting on the @USCCBJFI website. See JFI transition documents and the new FAQs on recent executive actions. Go to http://justiceforimmigrants.org, scroll to the bottom of any page and fill out the form.

Pray the rosary during Lent. As you pray the mysteries of the rosary during Lent (and other times as well), remember our migrating brothers and sisters with the rosary for vulnerable migrants populations.

Executive orders. The Biden administration continues to affect immigration law and practice with executive orders making major changes to those issued by the previous administration. See summary of new executive orders here.

Do not become confused. With all the changes to immigration law, it remains important to seek competent help. Scammers try to mislead immigrants and refugees with false promises. Even small mistakes can affect status. See resources in English, Spanish and French at the CLINIC website.

Climate change affects migrating people. There are many reasons why people make the difficult life changing decision to leave their home country and seek a new home in a distant country. Each decision is personal, but changing climate characteristics can affect the availability of food. Food insecurity becomes an important reason for migration. See an analysis here.

Justice for Immigrants. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors the Justice for Immigrants campaign. Make sure that you are not missing out on any of the new materials we are putting on the @USCCBJFI  website. See JFI transition documents and the new FAQs on recent executive actions. Go to http://justiceforimmigrants.org and scroll to the bottom of any page and fill out the form.

Georgia General Assembly. Senate Bills 33 and 34 have already passed the Senate. They would allow victims of sex trafficking to sue traffickers for damages and victims to change their names but keep previous names confidential to keep traffickers from locating them. Although not directly directed toward immigrants and asylum seekers, they benefit those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.

Black Immigrant Advocacy Week of Action. The week has passed but the needs highlighted during February’s Black History Month continue. Catholic Legal Immigration Network is among 110 immigration advocacy groups requesting that the administration takes action to eliminate racism in the immigration process that overlooks the needs of Black immigrants and refugees.

Unaccompanied refugee minors. The plight of refugee children fleeing without parents or guardians remains a real problem even if the issue has fallen from the headlines. Read the backgrounder prepared by the USCCB office of Migration and Refugee Services. According to reports, the Biden administration is planning to expand programs to aid these children.

Immigration reform? With all the talk of changes from the new administration, where is that one of a comprehensive immigration reform, which is so sorely needed? See this thoughtful article.

What does CLINIC do? The Catholic Legal Immigration Network was formed over thirty years ago by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to build and support a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs and to advocate for vulnerable populations. CLINIC involves itself in a wide range of issues to advance its mission. Learn more here.

Immigration priorities for 2021. Each year, CLINIC prepares a list of advocacy priorities for its staff and networks. See its priorities for 2021.

ICYMI – Promoting citizenship and naturalization. The last few years have seen more and more restrictive policies related to naturalization. The Biden administration is now considering changes. It may be time for those eligible for citizenship to seriously consider the step. See materials prepared by the New Americans Campaign and consult an experienced immigration attorney to find out eligibility.

St. Josephine Bakhita pray for us. Monday, February 8, is the memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita who was born in Sudan, kidnapped, sold into slavery and eventually reached Italy where she ultimately gained freedom. She joined a religious order of sisters where she was known for simplicity, humility and a constant smile even in suffering. She died in 1947 and was canonized in 2000. She is patron saint of trafficking victims. Read her story.

Presidential executive orders (continued). Tuesday, February 2, President Biden signed three executive orders related to immigration policy. One executive order established a task force to identify and reunite families separated at the United States-Mexico border under the policy of the previous administration. The second executive order will focus on stemming the flow of migrants from Central America by providing aid to the region to support initiatives combating corruption and revive the Central American minors program that had been ended by the Trump administration and allows certain at-risk youths to live in the US. That order will require review of the “Remain in Mexico” policy. The third order reestablishes the Task Force on New Americans and initiates a review of the naturalization process. These executive orders are only a first step and may seem far away from people in Georgia. Many in the state have relatives and friends caught in the policies of the Trump administration, but may now see help on the horizon. While some of our brothers and sisters may have renewed hope, they still need support as the implementation of these policies will take time.

Asking for patience. With thousands of asylum seekers waiting in Mexico to present their cases for asylum, the Biden administration asks for patience as it tries to find a way to adjudicate these cases even tough many advocates raise concerns about the suffering caused by delay. Read more here.

Bishops’ conference welcomed executive orders. On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chair of the USCCB committee on migration said: “We welcome these executive orders on migration, which will help to ensure that immigrants and refugees are treated humanely and in accordance with their God-given dignity…. We also offer our assistance and cooperation on these urgent matters of human life and dignity.” Read the complete statement here.

ICYMI – Promoting citizenship and naturalization. The last few years have seen more and more restrictive policies related to naturalization. The Biden administration is now considering changes. It may be time for those eligible for citizenship to seriously consider the step. See materials prepared by the New Americans Campaign and consult an experienced immigration attorney to find out your eligibility.