A publication of the Center for Migration Studies (CMS)
CMS Migration Update is a weekly digest of news and other information related to national and international migration.  It is designed to educate faith leaders regarding vulnerable immigrant populations, developments in the immigration field, pastoral resources and the religious touchstones of diverse faith traditions on migrants and newcomers. It should not be relied upon to provide advice or counsel in immigration cases. The publication is provided by the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), an educational institute/think-tank devoted to the study of international migration, to the promotion of understanding between immigrants and receiving communities, and to public policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees and newcomers. CMS is a member of the Scalabrini International Migration Network, an international network of shelters, welcoming centers, and other ministries for migrants.
Thomas J. Shea
Editor
Rachel Reyes
Communications Coordinator
Dear Colleague:
 
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the inaugural edition of CMS Migration Update. This weekly online publication is designed to educate pastors and other faith leaders regarding vulnerable immigrant populations, developments and events in the immigration field, pastoral resources, Catholic teaching, and the statements of diverse faith traditions on migrants and newcomers.  Although CMS Migration Update will feature occasional updates on immigration law and policy, it should not be relied upon to provide advice or counsel in immigration cases.  
 
CMS Migration Update is a publication of the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS): http://cmsny.org/.  CMS is an educational institute/think-tank devoted to the study of international migration, to the promotion of understanding between immigrants and receiving communities, and to public policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees and newcomers.  CMS is a member of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), an international network of migrant shelters, welcoming centers, and other programs and ministries for migrants.  CMS publishes journals, books, and substantive blogs; sponsors conferences, meetings, symposia, and dialogues; produces evidence-based, policy-relevant research; and maintains extensive archives on the history of immigration in the United States.  For present purposes, CMS also provides expert support to Catholic institutions and leaders on all levels.  CMS Migration Update will provide timely updates on immigration issues, particularly as faith-based institutions mobilize in support of legalization and work to promote the long-term integration of immigrants and their children, who now constitute roughly 25 percent of U.S. residents. 
 
We hope you enjoy this free publication.  We would encourage you to spread the word on its availability.  To sign up to receive CMS Migration Update, simply complete the form at http://eepurl.com/AVIsT.   
 
With every best wish,

 
Donald Kerwin, Executive Director
Center for Migration Studies of New York

Conservative Lobbyists to visit Republican House Members in DC this week to advocate for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Approximately 300 conservative leaders from agriculture, business, law enforcement, and religion are expected to converge on Washington, DC this week to advocate for immigration reform to about 80 Republican members of the House of Representatives.  The event is sponsored by Bibles, Badges, and Business Leaders (BBB), the National Immigration Form, the Partnership for a New American Economy, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and FWD.us. (a lobbying group led by Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg).  There is concern that this push for immigration reform could cause another rift within the Republican party soon after experiencing a rift in the party over how to deal with the recent shut down of the federal government as well as the raising of the federal debt limit.

For more information, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/us/politics/conservative-coalition-presses-house-republicans-to-act-on-immigration.html?emc=edit_tnt_20131025&tntemail0=y.

What’s happening with Immigration Reform? 

President Obama Urges House Republicans to Act on Immigration

Since the Senate passed a bi-partisan immigration reform bill at the end of June, there has been little movement on immigration reform on Capitol Hill.  Because of events over the past several months (e.g., Syria, the shut-down of the federal government, the battle between the Democrats and the Republicans in Congress over defunding Obamacare, funding the federal government, and raising the federal debt limit, etc.), immigration reform has been on the back-burner making many wonder whether there is any chance of immigration reform passing this year.  On October 24th, President Obama called on Republicans in the House of Representatives to pass immigration reform that includes a pathway for the approximately 11 million undocumented people in the United States to earn legalization as well include provisions to strengthen the border and to modernize our system for legal immigration to the United States.  Without committing to any bill, Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner also indicated that he was “hopeful” that immigration reform would move forward. 

For more information about the President’s address, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/10/24/president-obama-we-should-pass-immigration-reform-and-we-should-do-it-year

Also visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/us/politics/obama-urges-house-republicans-to-act-on-immigration.html

For more information about Boehner’s statement, visit: http://voxxi.com/2013/10/23/dems-immigration-reform-boehner-hopeful/

President Nominates Jeh Johnson to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Since early September, when former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stepped down, the DHS, which is the umbrella agency for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), and the United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP), has been overseen by an “acting” secretary.  The Secretary’s position has remained unfilled. On October 18, 2013, President Obama nominated former General Counsel of the Department of Defense, Jeh Johnson, to replace Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the DHS. 

For more information, visit: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/jeh-johnson-barack-obama-nomination-remarks-98536.html and http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/jeh-johnson-facts-98531.html.

Pope Visit to Island of Lampedusa:
Refugee Gateway to Europe

From the blog Whispers in the Loggia 8 July 2013 by Rocco Palmo

Since his installation as pope in March 2013, Pope Francis has spoken frequently about vulnerable migrants. On July 8, 2013, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies south of Sicily and about 70 miles east of Tunisia.  Reportedly 20,000 migrants have died on the journey to the island, which is considered a gateway to Europe for refugees from northern Africa.  In fact, on October 3, 2013, over 300 refugees died after a boat heading to Lampedusa caught fire and sunk. Pope Francis visited the island, his first trip outside of Rome, as a “gesture of closeness” to the immigrants who have tried to make a better lives for themselves.  He delivered a homily about our responsibility for one another and urging us to overcome the “globalization of indifference” that allows us to ignore the suffering of others. 

For more information, visit: http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-europes-island-of-tears-pope-asks.html.

President Obama nominated United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director, Alejandro Mayorkas, to become Deputy Secretary of the DHS but Republicans hold up his nomination.  

The USCIS is the bureau within the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for deciding applications for immigration benefits.  For example, if a foreign national would like to obtain lawful permanent residence (e.g., the “green card”) in the United States or apply for a work permit or apply for naturalization, etc., then she would submit her application to the USCIS.  Alejandro Mayorkas has been the Director of the USCIS for the past four years.  President Obama nominated him to become the Deputy Secretary of  DHS but the Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee are holding up his confirmation because of an Inspector General’s investigation into whether Director Mayorkas engaged in any undue influence in helping a company obtain immigrant visas for its investors.  Director Mayorkas is widely credited with implementing policies at the USCIS that helped improve processing times for immigration benefits while also engaging more with stakeholders and improving the transparency of its operations. There is concern that with increasing attention being devoted to pushing his confirmation, less attention is being devoted to overseeing the effectiveness of the USCIS. 

For more information about the nomination, visit: http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=45192 and  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/31/alejandro-mayorkas-s-dhs-nomination-held-up-over-ig-investigation.html

For more information about USCIS, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=2af29c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=2af29c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) still has no confirmed Director

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) is the bureau within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is responsible for the enforcement of the immigration law within the United States. It is also the investigations arm of the DHS.  Deportation officers, detention officers, and the attorneys who represent the DHS during removal (i.e., deportation proceedings) are part of USICE.  Former Director of USICE, John Morton, stepped down at the end of July 2013.  The Obama Administration appointed John Sandweg as Acting Director of USICE but there has still be no final confirmation of a director for the agency thereby leaving the leadership of the agency and its 20,000 employees uncertain.

For more information on John Sandweg, visit: http://www.ice.gov/about/leadership/bios.htm

For more information about the USICE, visit: http://www.ice.gov/about/overview/

United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) still has no confirmed Commissioner

The United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) is the bureau within the DHS that is responsible for guarding the border to the United States and enforcing our customs laws. When you pass through a port of entry into the United States (such as JFK airport, for example), the immigration inspections officers who check your travel documents are generally part of USCBP.  The Previous Commissioner, David Aguilar, stepped down from CBP at the end of March 2013.  On August 1st, President Obama nominated current Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (the so-called “Drug Czar”), R. Gil Kerlikowske, to become the Commissioner of USCBP.   Thomas S. Winkowski has been serving since August 2nd as the “acting” commissioner.  To date, the Senate has not scheduled a confirmation hearing for this position leaving the leadership of the largest federal law enforcement agency (with over 60,000 employees) uncertain. 

To learn more about Acting Commissioner, Thomas S. Winkowski, visit: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/about/organization/commissioner.xml.

To learn more about R. Gil Kerlikowske, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/kerlikowske-bio.

For more information about the nomination, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/01/presidential-nominations-sent-senate-0.

To learn more about the USCBP, visit: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/about/ and http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/about/accomplish/cbp_snapshot_2013.ctt/cbp_snapshot_2013.pdf

Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of undocumented immigrants in the Dominican Republic might Become Stateless under Court Ruling

The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti calls on faith-based organizations to sign-on to a letter from Church World Service expressing their “profound concern” at the September 23, 2013 ruling by the Dominican Constitutional Court that children born of undocumented immigrants in the Dominican Republic since 1929 are not Dominican citizens. This will have a particularly harsh impact on four generations of Dominicans of Haitian descent, who are already subject to racism and harrasment because of their skin color and now might be subject to deportation from their own country. Some reports estimate that this might affect up to 500,000 Dominicans. 

For more information, visit: http://www.ijdh.org/faith-based-letter-on-dominican-court-ruling/#.Um2Hziic8UU

If you read Spanish, you can read the actual decision of the Dominican Constitutional court by visiting: http://tribunalconstitucional.gob.do/sites/default/files/documentos/Sentencia%20TC%200168-13%20-%20C.pdf

Statement of H.E. Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations (June 26, 2013)

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi expressed his concern to the Chair of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) over increased violence in the past year and the apparent lack of political will to work out a solution. He expressed his pleasure that the UNHCR is currently exploring ways in which faith communities can help with protecting people displaced by violence.

For more information, visit: http://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2013-26June-UNHCR-Standing-Committee.pdf

Welcoming the Stranger: 
Affirmations for Faith Leaders

If you are interested in learning how the leaders of various faiths have come together to promote the respect and dignity of migrants, read “Welcoming the Stranger:  Affirmations for Faith Leaders.”  Produced by an inter-religious group convened by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the Dialogue on Faith and Protection in December 2012, this 26-page document is published in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Hebrew) and lists 16 pledges for followers to affirm the core values of their faith “to welcome the stranger, the refugee, the internally displaced, and the other.”  The document is an effort in part to limit xenophobia against and dehumanization of people displaced by violence. 

For more information, visit: http://www.unhcr.org/51b6de419.html.

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