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
June 16, 2015

Migrant Interdiction: A Growing Naval Mission

Defense News (June 7, 2015)
 
The European Union (EU) is rushing to respond to the increasing numbers of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Northern Africa to Europe. Twenty-six of the EU member states now provide resources such as naval and coast guard vessels to patrol the Mediterranean on the look-out for migrants. This article asks whether naval and coast guard vessels are best-suited for humanitarian operations. On the one hand, these ships have the necessary tools for successful rescue missions: command and control capabilities, helicopters, radar, safety equipment, and small boats for boarding rescued ships. On the other hand, these vessels are built first and foremost for naval activities (e.g., combat) and are not made to rescue migrants. Many naval ships do not have large enclosed areas to house rescued migrants while simultaneously protecting the security of inner areas of the ship including the engine room, command and control rooms, and weapons. The article asserts that the governments must adapt their naval ships to meet the needs of humanitarian operations.
 
To read more, visit http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/2015/06/07/migrants-refugees-immigration-patrol-mediterranean-andaman-sea-muslims-palestinians-eritrea-syria-crisis-frontex-italy-greece-libya-naval-coast-guard/28547547/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=%2ASituation%20Report&utm_campaign=SitRep0611.

EU: Relocation of Asylum Seekers Reportedly Will not Move Forward

Stratfor Global Intelligence (June 12, 2015)

Because of opposition by EU member states, the European Commission reportedly will not move forward with its plan to disperse refugees among member states. At least 12 EU states oppose mandatory quotas for taking in refugees. As reported in last week’s CMS Migration Update, the European Commission put forth this plan in an effort to spread more equitably the burden that is now being born disproportionately by EU states along the rim of the Mediterranean Sea, including Italy and Greece.   

To read more, submit your email address to https://www.stratfor.com/sample/situation-report/eu-relocation-asylum-seekers-reportedly-will-not-move-forward.

Bishops: Use of Immigrant Detention Centers 'a Stain' on US Administration

National Catholic Reporter (June 11, 2015)

Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento stated that the detention by the United States of immigrant families seeking asylum “is a violation of international law and a stain on the administration.” During a meeting of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in St. Louis, Missouri this past week, the bishops discussed a report they released with the Center for Migration Studies in May calling for a revamping of the US immigration detention system. The bishops are also advocating for just and humane immigration reform that includes alternatives to detention for vulnerable immigrants such as asylum seekers and women and children.

To read more, visit http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/bishops-use-immigrant-detention-centers-stain-us-administration.

To read report, “Unlocking Human Dignity: A Plan to Transform the US Immigrant Detention System” by Migration and Refugee Services/US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Center for Migration Studies, visit http://jmhs.cmsny.org/index.php/jmhs/article/view/48. 

Church Offers Haven to Woman Facing Deportation

The Texas Tribune (June 11, 2015)

The First Unitarian Universalist Church in Austin is offering sanctuary to Sulma Franco, a Guatemalan woman who fears persecution in her home country because of her sexual orientation. In 2009, Ms. Franco applied for asylum in the United States and passed her initial interview with immigration officers to determine whether she had a “credible fear” of returning to Guatemala. However, due to a possible failure by her attorney in following up on her application, an immigration judge ordered her removal in 2012 and she was arrested in June 2014. On the date US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was scheduled to physically deport Ms. Franco, she received protection from the church. It is uncertain how long she will remain in the church.

To read more, visit https://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/11/austin-church-offers-safe-haven-lgbt-guatemalan/.

Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law Training

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (June 14, 2015)
 
Starting July 6th, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) will offer a free comprehensive immigration law course in an e-learning format for up to 200 participants. The course requires a time commitment of between eight and ten hours per week, so only those who are motivated to put in the required time to complete all required course assignments should sign-up for the course. The Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law training (a/k/a “COIL”) is a six-week course including two webinars each week, with a number of self-directed learning activities on the course website to support each of the twelve units of the course. Click here to see a detailed course description which includes the dates of each webinar. Although course participants are encouraged to attend live webinars, all the webinars will be recorded and posted on the course website. Therefore, students can take this course and schedule time to do all required work at their convenience. There is also a two-week period following the six weeks of course instruction for students to complete any missing course work as well as take an open-book final exam.
 
The intended beneficiaries of this course are (a) current or aspiring legal workers who plan to apply for Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accreditation; (b) organizers and immigration advocates who want a deeper knowledge of immigration law and the range of remedies beyond Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); and (c) attorneys who are working for or volunteering with a nonprofit agency and are new to immigration law practice.
 
If you would like to register for the course, you must be nominated by a member of the Committee on Immigration Reform Implementation (CIRI). If you would like to be nominated, please contact Donald Kerwin at dkerwin@cmsny.org. You will also need to fill out and return a course application form to Mr. Kerwin.

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

Subscribe to Migration Update
Copyright © 2015 Center for Migration Studies, New York, All rights reserved.