Five Things to Remember for Jan. 9

 

1.      Unaccompanied Refugee and Migrant Children are among the most vulnerable people on earth. Refugee children who have lost their families through war, violence, or other causes are often forgotten when they arrive in refugee camps, alone, scared and, at times, abused and exploited. Another vulnerable population is the children traveling alone to the U.S. without legal status. Upon entering the country without documentation, they often are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. They face alone the uncertainties of being held in the custody of the U.S. government and awaiting their case determination or reunification with family. MRS’ Children’s Services provides critical assistance by providing family reunification services to migrant children here alone without family support. In 2012, Children’s Services provided such services to 560 children through over 180 local, community-based providers. The top four countries of origin of children served in 2012 were El Salvador, Mexico,  Guatemala and Honduras. In 2012 a total of 180 children arrived into the USCCB’s unaccompanied children and unaccompanied refugee minors foster care program. Among them: refugee children, human trafficking victims, asylees and others from 27 countries.
 
2.      For Poverty Awareness Month, Carolyn Woo, CEO of Catholic Relief Services, blogged in English and Spanish about the intricacies of serving the poor in a foreign land. English - http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/sometimes-poverty-smiles.html and Spanish - http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-veces-la-pobreza-sonrie.html

 

3.      Ten percent of Congress graduated from a Jesuit institution. Tweets Jesuit author Father James Martin at @JamesMartinSJ: “10% of Congress are Jesuit alums. On the one hand, Jesuits are proud of our alumni! On the other hand, don't blame us!” 

 

4.      Monitoring tweets: Pope Benedict XVI sent a challenging message today through his Twitter account, saying, “Following Christ’s example, we have to learn to give ourselves completely. Anything else is not enough.”

5.      God loves you.

Wester Revisited

This morning brought with it, among the various appointments of bishops from around the world to posts on different Vatican committees, the announcement that Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City has been named a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. In other words, Bishop Wester is now part of the Vatican office that oversees migration/immigration issues.

This doesn't mean Bishop Wester is leaving Salt Lake City. A post such as this would involve meetings in Rome but would not be a full time relocation. What is notable about this appointment is that it comes on the heels of Bishop Wester's stint as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.

Elected to the post in 2006, Bishop Wester was the lead voice on immigration concerns for the bishops for three years (November 2007-November 2010). During that time, he spoke out on a range of migration-themed issues, including the need for comprehensive immigration reform and the role immigration played in the health care debate.

His advocacy often brough Bishop Wester into the worlds of news and social media, including this piece in Politics Daily and a video outlining the bishops' priorities for immigration reform.

Bishop Wester passed the migration torch last fall to Coadjutor Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, who is already speaking out on issues like providing a path to citizenship for people who were brought across the border as children. But even with his most public work on this issue for the U.S. bishops behind him, the Vatican clearly intends Bishop Wester to have a part to play in shaping the Church's global response to this issue.

Refugee resettlement saves lives, in spite of economy

Due to the ongoing national economic crisis, Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB and many programs within the Catholic resettlement network are experiencing increased interest about refugees, particularly, in how refugees are faring in the face of economic difficulties. Sentiments reflected by media have ranged from support of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program despite the current economic crisis, to highly critical, with some calling for a slow down, even a complete freeze, of refugee admissions. When thinking about refugees, human beings fleeing persecution, torture and death, there are a few things we must keep in mind beyond economic cost.

1. Resettlement saves lives. Refugee resettlement is a life-saving, humanitarian response to individuals in urgent need of protection who often have nowhere else to turn. Resettlement offers them a chance at a new life. While these are difficult economic times for everyone, refugees do not have the luxury of waiting for the economy to improve. Their situation is urgent and life-threatening. Delayed action may cost lives.

2. The U.S. has a long history of offering humanitarian protection to those most in need and we must not compromise our core values even in difficult times. Reneging on this commitment because of an economic slowdown would be a tragic departure from what makes our nation great. During previous times of economic hardship, the U.S. continued to help refugees begin a new life. If we could do it then, we can do it now. In spite of the ailing economy, it is heartening to see thousands of selfless Americans across the country continue to volunteer and assist those in need.

3. The U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program provides a great deal of necessary assistance and services to refugees. However, the program is antiquated, under funded and in need of reform. Designed nearly three decades ago, it has not been updated to accommodate changes to incoming refugee populations, the economic climate, and social supports. The success of the program relies mostly in the VOLAGS (volunteer agencies) whose creative approaches and community partnerships help make up for the gap in federal resources.

4. Refugees are an asset to our communities and country, as they fill important niches in the economy, revitalize communities both culturally and economically, and create jobs by opening businesses.

5. The U.S. has a particular responsibility to assist Iraqi refugees and special immigrants, as many of them are at risk of death and persecution at home due to their ties to the U.S. government.

Although safe and voluntary repatriation is usually the most desirable course of action, resettlement is often the only option for many refugees. They are granted sanctuary in the U.S. because they are in danger, cannot return home safely, and cannot be safely integrated into their countries of asylum overseas.