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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
January 12, 2016

Obamas Invite Syrian Refugee to State of the Union Address

USA Today (January 10, 2016)
 
In a show of opposition to some Republicans who have called for blocking Syrian refugees from the United States because of terrorism concerns, President Obama invited a Syrian refugee to attend his State of the Union address on January 12th. Refaai Hamo, a scientist, fled the Syrian civil war in 2013 after his wife, daughter, and five other family members were killed when a bomb struck their home. After two years in Turkey, where he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Mr. Hamo was eventually resettled as a refugee in Detroit. According to the article, Mr. Hamo’s plight became widely known after he was featured in December in the blog, Humans of New York. Mr. Hamo will sit with First Lady Michelle Obama for the speech in her box in the House of Representatives gallery. 
 
To read more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/01/10/syrian-refugee-state-of-the-union-address-guest-of-first-lady/78523490/.

Hasty Raids Led to Mistakes: Deportation Halted for at Least 20 Migrants Targeted

Fox New Latino (January 8, 2016)
 
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has stayed the removal of at least 20 immigrants, who were in the process of being deported. The immigrants were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the raids in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Many of the immigrants targeted in the raids were women and children who fled gang violence in Central America. The article reports that 121 immigrants were arrested in the raids and 77 of them were deported to Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Advocates claim that many immigrants with final orders of deportation received poor legal representation or were not advised of the opportunity to appeal the immigration judges’ decisions.
 
To read more, visit http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2016/01/08/hasty-raids-led-to-mistakes-deportation-halted-for-at-least-20-migrants/.

White House: Deportation Raids Won't Stop

The Hill (January 8, 2016)
 
Despite opposition by some Democrats and immigrant rights advocates, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to continue raids targeting Central American migrants who arrived in the United States in 2014 and have final orders of deportation. According to the article, DHS maintains that it is following its protocols which prioritize the deportation of criminals and recent border crossers. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi asserts that the overwhelming numbers of people who are targeted by these raids are mothers and children who were fleeing violence in their home countries.
 
To read more, visit http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/265238-white-house-deportation-raids-wont-stop.

Advocates and Faith Leaders Speak Out About Fear in the Immigrant Community Over ICE’s Tactic

Long Island Wins (January 8, 2016)
 
According to this article, raids conducted against Central American immigrants in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas have caused panic in the immigrant community on Long Island, which ranks third nationally in receiving Central American refugees. Although ICE did not conduct raids in New York, many on Long Island expect and fear that they will be targeted.  Victoria Daza, an organizer for Long Island Jobs with Justice, stated, “Many students in our school districts are too scared to go to school, due to fear of deportations, or that their parents will be deported when they get home.” 
 
To read more, visit http://www.longislandwins.com/news/detail/advocates_and_faith_leaders_speak_out_about_fear_in_the_immigrant_community.

Jesuit Conference Deplores Immigrant Deportations

America Magazine (January 7, 2016)
 
On January 5th, the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States issued a statement denouncing the Obama administration for conducting nationwide raids on migrants from Central America. According to the article, the Jesuit Conference is “especially disturbed” by reports that law enforcement officers are forcing their way into homes to conduct searches and arrest Central American asylum seekers, including children as young as four-years-old.  The Jesuit Conference writes: "Such tactics sow fear in immigrant communities, create distrust between these communities and law enforcement officials, and traumatize children and adult asylum seekers who survived persecution and perilous journeys to find protection in the United States.”
 
To read more, visit http://americamagazine.org/issue/jesuit-conference-deplores-immigrant-deportations.
 
To read the statement from the Jesuit Conference, visit http://jesuits.org/Assets/Publications/File/ImmigrationRaids-pressrelease-Jan5-2016.pdf

Democrats Lash Out at Obama Over Immigration Raids

Politico (January 6, 2016)
 
Democrats and immigrant rights advocates are criticizing the Obama administration for immigration raids that were conducted on New Year’s weekend around the country. While elected officials have called on the Administration to halt the raids, more are expected. Many have expressed concern about the effect of the raids on the targeted communities. â€œThey can sugarcoat it all they want, but in the end they are spreading fear in Latino communities” stated Kevin Appleby, Senior Director for International Migration Policy for the Center for Migration Studies.
 
To read more, visit http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/immigration-deportation-democrats-obama-217378#ixzz3wsoG7dXu.

IDP Know Your Rights Materials on ICE Home Raids & Community Arrests

Immigrant Defense Project (January 4, 2016)
 
The Immigrant Defense Project and the Center for Constitutional Rights have put together a collection of Know Your Rights materials (in English and Spanish). These materials are intended to assist people affected by ICE raids to better understand and respond to them. The materials also provide information on the rights afforded to people during a raid – whether in their home or in their neighborhood.
 
To access the Know Your Rights materials, visit http://immigrantdefenseproject.org/idp-know-your-rights-materials-on-ice-home-raids-community-arrests.

Arrests of Iraqi Refugees Increase Pressure in Congress

Associated Press (January 8, 2016)
 
Two Iraqi-born men were arrested on Thursday, January 7 on terrorism-related charges.  One of the men allegedly traveled to Syria to fight while the other is accused of providing support to ISIS. Following the arrests, House Republicans renewed their call to restrict the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. In December, the House passed legislation tightening controls on the federal visa waiver program.
 
To read more, visit http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/arrests-iraqi-refugees-increases-pressure-congress-36172029. 

Cubans, Fearing Loss of Favored Status in US, Rush to Make an Arduous Journey

New York Times (January 9, 2016)
 
In 2014, the Obama administration restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. Rumors quickly circulated that the United States would rescind the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, which provides Cubans who migrate to the United States with a fast track to permanent legal residency. As a result, tens of thousands of Cubans are attempting to cross into the United States. To avoid the dangerous journey through the Florida Straits, Cubans are moving through other Latin American countries such as Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica to reach the US border.
 
To read more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/world/americas/cubans-fearing-loss-of-favored-status-in-us-rush-to-make-an-arduous-journey.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=3. 

NEW FROM CMS

 

CMS Back Pages | Lessons from Post 9-11 Immigration-Related Security Measures

 
CMS Back Pages is a new series which seeks to draw attention to past CMS publications and research that speak to pressing public policy concerns. This week’s post addresses the US debate on national security and refugee protection.

To read more visit, http://cmsny.org/cms-back-pages-post-911/. 

JANUARY 26 EVENT

Due Process & Access to Justice for Immigrants Conference 


Tickets are now available for the January 26th Due Process & Access to Justice for Immigrants Conference, hosted by CMS, Fragomen Worldwide, Fried Frank, and the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Panels will cover immigrant detention; the impact of unaccompanied minors on immigration court and legal services; non-court removals; advances and challenges in pro bono representation; and right to counsel issues. General registration is $25 and includes lunch. Student registration is free but excludes lunch, and students must present valid student ID upon check-in.
 
To read more and register, visit http://cmsny.org/event-dueprocessconf/. 

If you are a migrant or pastoral worker and wish to submit an article or reflection to the CMS Migration Update, please email Tom Shea at tshea@cmsny.org
Copyright © 2016 Center for Migration Studies, New York, All rights reserved.


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