At least 63 migrants died Feb. 26 when the wooden boat carrying them — in a storm with high waves and strong winds — broke apart after crashing against rocks along the coast of Calabria in southern Italy.
immigration
Catholic Organizations Applaud, Express Concerns About New Private Sponsorship Program For Refugees
Catholic organizations applauded the announcement Jan. 19 of a new State Department program that allows groups of private individuals to directly support refugees resettling in the U.S.
Border Measures Expanding Access and Expulsions Aren’t Progress, Bishop Says
While new border measures from President Joe Biden’s Administration expand legal pathways for migrants to enter the country, the U.S. bishops’ chair on migration warns they also simultaneously expand expulsions — which, he said, isn’t really progress.
Biden Says He Plans to Visit Border for The First Time in His Presidency
President Joe Biden said Jan. 4 he plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border, which would be the first visit to the border of his presidency, when he travels to Mexico next week.
At Local Churches, Migrants Find Food, Clothing, Friendship
St. Michael-St. Malachy Parish has been helping migrants since August, providing the newcomers with food, clothing and just as important — friendship.
Immigration Advocates say DACA Ruling Should Push Congress to Act
Catholic immigration advocates are emphasizing that the Oct. 5 ruling by a federal appeals court — finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is unlawful — sends another signal that permanent legislation is needed to protect young immigrants from deportation and put them on a path to U.S. citizenship.
Catholic Leaders Weigh in on Upcoming, Busy Supreme Court Term
The Supreme Court begins its new term Oct. 3, jumping right back into the fray with cases that take on affirmative action, voting, immigration, the environment and freedom of speech.
Conference Takes Bird’s-Eye View at Complex U.S. Immigration Landscape
As federal authorities announced Sept. 20 an all-time high for the number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border — upward of 2 million — an annual immigration conference was taking place at Georgetown University’s Law Center campus in downtown Washington.
New Network Will Accompany Migrants; National Migration Week is Sept. 19-25
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA has launched the Migrant Accompaniment Network, a nationwide group of volunteers “who will engage those who have recently arrived in the U.S. with their integration into welcoming communities,” the organization said in a Sept. 14 announcement.
Chicago Cardinal Pledges Support for Migrants Sent from Texas
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has pledged the archdiocese’s support for city efforts to respond to busloads of migrants arriving from the southern border at the direction of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, simultaneously calling Abbott’s actions “unbecoming of any elected official.”