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National Migration Week: Jan 6-12

Sunday, January 6, 2019

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2019, “Building Communities of Welcome” draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.

Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends. To do so, we will look at the important role that foster care plays in the lives of unaccompanied immigrants and refugees, highlight MRS’ Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees, and examine local initiatives that are making important contributions in this regard.

Migration Week is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and survivors of human trafficking. This year's theme for National Migration Week 2019, "Building Communities of Welcome," draws attention to the fact that each family has a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where they are and where they came from, all people are part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.

Position of Catholic Church on Immigration Reform

The Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Church support humane immigration reform. We must reform our broken system that separates families and denies due process.

Facts:

* During the last decade, more than 7.4 million immigrants have been welcomed into the United States as naturalized citizens.
* Estimates are that undocumented migrants pay $11.74 billion every year in state and local taxes, and the 1.3 million young undocumented immigrants eligible for DACA alone contribute an estimated $1.7 billion per year.
* Our current immigration system is broken and creates long periods of forced family separation. For example, it can take more than a decade for legal permanent residents to reunify with immediate family members.

https://justiceforimmigrants.org/2016site/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Final-NMW-Toolkit-2019.pdf

 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

On January 4, 2010, by Presidential Proclamation, President Obama designated the month of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human Trafficking Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Today, there are between 21-30 million people enslaved in the world, more than at any time in human history. Every day, modern slavery can be recognized everywhere in the world: children become soldiers, young women are forced into prostitution, migrant workers are exploited in the workforce and children and adults are trafficked for the extraction of body organs.

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The Stop Trafficking Newsletter cosponsored by the Felician Sisters of North America may be accessed by clicking here. January's edition highlights the role of the internet in human trafficking, both good and bad!!

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The January Reflection from United States Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking may be accessed by clicking here. This month's reflection, Study, Pray, Act is by Carol Davis, OP.

Immigration Services with Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo

This program has assisted members of the community since 1984 with responsibilities of becoming an immigrant or U S citizen. Our immigration department is a long standing and credible program that strives in keeping families unified by providing low cost immigration preparation & processing services.

We educate the community and create awareness with weekly public information given live on local news. In addition, radio announcements and “know your rights workshops” are provided throughout the year. The information provided to the community includes not only the available services but also to 1). Identify scammers 2). Detect fraudulent services 3). How to respond to Immigration Authorities and 4). Civil rights in the U.S. 

Immigration Services & Outreach Activities provided are:

Naturalization

Adjustment of Status

Employment Authorization

Visa Petitions

DACA

Consultations

Know Your Rights Workshops

Naturalization Workshops

Consultations are available Tuesday and Thursdays from 9am to 11am to 1pm to 3pm.   Consultation Fee is $50.00.

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.