MIGRATION UPDATE
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 27, 2015

Judge Hears Arguments in Immigration Policy Case

Texas Tribune (January 15, 2015)

In early December 2014, 25 states filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas to halt President Obama’s executive actions, which would provide temporary relief from removal and work authorization to certain undocumented immigrants.  The lawsuit alleges that the President’s actions violate the “Take Care” clause of the US Constitution which requires the President to faithfully execute laws passed by Congress, even if he disagrees with those laws. The suit also alleges violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. On January 15, 2015, Judge Andrew Hanen heard arguments to determine whether he will issue a preliminary injunction, an order to prevent the government from implementing the executive actions while the lawsuit is pending.  As of this update, the judge has not yet issued a ruling on the states’ request for the preliminary injunction.  

To read more, visit http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/challenge-obamas-immigration-move-faces-first-test/.

Catholic Lawmakers Urged to Back Immigration Reform as Pro-life Issue

National Catholic Reporter (January 20, 2015)

A group of Catholic leaders sent a letter to Catholic members of Congress asking the legislators to support comprehensive immigration reform "that would create an earned path to citizenship for those in the shadows, expedite family reunification, strengthen refugee protection, [and] address why desperate people reluctantly uproot and cross borders." The Catholic leaders emphasized that migration is a “pro-life” issue, writing in their letter that the deaths of thousands of migrants is an example of what Pope Francis called the “‘globalization of indifference' and a 'throwaway culture' that treats human beings as disposable[.]" The leaders also “recognize[d] the image of God in the migrant at the border” and urged members of Congress to vote immediately on a reform measure.

To read more, visit http://ncronline.org/blogs/immigration-and-church/catholic-lawmakers-urged-back-immigration-reform-pro-life-issue.

Face of the Immigration Fight

Politico (January 22, 2015)
 
The Democrats on the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives selected California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard to oversee for them the annual Homeland Security Budget bill. If the party’s leadership and full caucus approve her selection, she will be the first Latino to hold this position. The article asserts that this will be a powerful historic symbol at a time when the same budget bill is caught between the Republican-controlled Congress, which is trying to deny funding for implementation of the President’s executive actions, and the Obama Administration, which is trying to move forward with these measures. The article describes Rep. Roybal-Allard’s congressional district as “among the most Hispanic in the nation” and describes Rep. Roybal-Allard as very concerned about the treatment of American children whose parents have been deported under the US immigration system. The article further describes her as an outspoken champion for alternatives to immigration detention.  The article asserts that Latino voters will have “a human face and voice at the bargaining table as never before in Congress.”
 
To read more, visit http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/lucille-roybal-allard-homeland-security-bill-114480.html.

New Far-right Anti-immigrant Sentiment Hits German Streets

The Washington Post (January 24, 2015)

The city of Dresden in Germany appears to be the center of a growing movement in Germany against immigrants -- with special opposition to Muslim immigrants.  On Monday nights, the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (“Pegida”) holds anti-immigrant rallies in downtown Dresden. Pegida came together last year during an influx of asylum seekers from primarily Islamic countries, like Syria and Libya. According to this article, the group has tapped into a rising angst among some Germans about new asylum seekers, increasing numbers of other migrants, the lack of assimilation of many Muslims, and potential for home-grown terrorism. Tens of thousands of Germans, however, have held counter-demonstrations against Pegida attracting numbers of counter-protesters that have often been far larger than the Pegida protests.

To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/new-far-right-anti-immigrant-sentiment-hits-german-streets/2015/01/23/dd23ec5c-a282-11e4-9f89-561284a573f8_story.html?wprss=rss_world.

Creating a Global Framework for Immigration

McKinsey & Company (January 2015)

The author writes about the three contributors to global economic growth: capital (such as cross-border trade), productivity, and human capital (the knowledge and skills that people possess).  Although systems are in place world-wide to govern the flow of capital and productivity, no global system exists yet concerning the flow of human capital (i.e., migration).  Instead, each country develops its own rules concerning migration and labor policy. The author asserts that in order to maintain rising prosperity over the long term, there needs to be a globally integrated approach to migration (both the quantity and quality of migration).  For example, the author writes, there needs to be a way that nations with a surplus of labor can facilitate migration with countries where there is a deficit of labor.  Simply stated, an aspect of this policy requires developing a world-wide system that allows people in countries with few opportunities for work to easily migrate to countries that need workers.

To read more, visit http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Public_Sector/Creating_a_global_framework_for_immigration?cid=mckgrowth-eml-alt-mip-mck-oth-1501.

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