MIGRATION UPDATE

Faces of the Border Crisis: Sister Norma Pimentel

Texas Monthly (July 9, 2014)

In the first of a five-part series of articles interviewing figures working on the front lines of the humanitarian crisis along the border in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, reporter Eric Benson features Sr. Norma Pimentel, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.  Sr. Pimentel spearheaded a response to the Border Patrol’s releasing of Central American immigrant families at the local bus station by creating a way-station at a nearby church offering food, showers, clothing, a place to rest, and medical attention for the immigrants before they depart by bus from the area. In its first four weeks of operation, the way-station served more than 3,000 migrants.

To learn more, visit http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/faces-border-crisis-sister-norma-pimentel/page/0/1.

INFOGRAPHIC: How Young Guatemalans are Making Neighborhoods Peaceful

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC, July 12, 2014)

Since 2011, 150 youth leaders in “peace networks” have been working to reclaim public spaces in Guatemala City from gangs. Since then, they have reclaimed 17 open spaces and marched in 21 walks for peace. People of all ages can now gather peacefully and safely and look after one another. The youth have also taught “peace culture” to over 3,000 of their peers.  Efforts like these are helping communities address their problems and become healthy.

To read more, visit http://afsc.org/story/infographic-how-young-guatemalans-are-making-neighborhoods-peaceful,

Pope Calls for Protection of Unaccompanied Child Migrants

News.VA  (July 16, 2014)

Pope Francis sent a message to the Mexico/Holy See Colloquium on Human Migration and Development in Mexico City calling on the international community to welcome and protect the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children who are fleeing Central America to the United States.  The Pontiff also called for programs that will educate people in their home countries about the dangers of traveling north as well as programs that will promote development in Central America.  The Holy Father appealed to the international community to develop new ways of legal and secure migration.

To read more, visit http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-calls-for-protection-of-unaccompanied-child-m.

Cardinal Sean on Border Crisis - Press Conference with the Governor and Faith Leaders

Archdiocese of Boston (Press Release, July 18, 2014)

In response to Pope Francis’s call to the international community to welcome and protect the unaccompanied minors fleeing Central America, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston issued a statement about the Catholic Church’s long history of working with migrants and refugees and reiterating that although the Archdiocese of Boston’s agencies are already stretched thin, they are willing to collaborate with the government to respond to this humanitarian crisis.

To read more, visit http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=30134.

Needing Skilled Workers, a Booming Germany Woos Immigrants

The New York Times (July 18, 2014)

With a strong economy, Germany needs additional skilled workers to fill jobs in science, technology, and engineering.  As a result, Germany is competing more aggressively with the United States, Britain, and other nations to attract and retain high skilled workers.  It has eased rules recognizing foreign qualifications and granted residence permits for skilled workers.  With the largest economy in the Euro-Zone and a 5.2% unemployment rate, Germany attracts the most immigrants.  One of every two new German citizens has foreign roots. Nevertheless, some tensions remain.

To read more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/world/europe/needing-skilled-workers-a-booming-germany-woos-immigrants.html?_r=0.

Why the Central American Children Migrants Need Full Adjudication of Their Protection Claims

The Huffington Post (The Blog, July 19, 2014)

In response to the dramatic increase in Central American child migrants, Congress and the Administration are considering proposals to scale back or repeal the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA).  In his latest Huffington Post blog, Donald Kerwin, CMS’s Executive Director, argues that the TVPRA is neither the cause of the crisis, nor would its repeal meaningfully alleviate it.  Instead, repeal of the TVPRA would lead to the summary return of many Central American children to perilous situations.  The blog addresses the underlying causes of the exodus of children from Center America and misconceptions regarding the TVPRA’s putative magnet effect.  It also critiques an intelligence report that attributes the rise in migration to misconceptions related to U.S. immigration development.

To read more, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donald-kerwin/the-crisis-facing-childre_b_5601971.html.

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