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Beannachtai na Nollag
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year
from the Board of the
Irish Apostolate USA
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Bishop Donal McKeown Visits NYC
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The Irish Apostolate USA, in collaboration with Project Irish Outreach, Aisling Irish Community Center, and St. Barnabas Church coordinated the December 2nd visit of Bishop Donal McKeown to the Irish community in the Bronx and Yonkers. Bishop McKeown is the Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Conor in Northern Ireland, and also serves on the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants.
Bishop McKeown celebrated the Sunday family Mass at St. Barnabas Church and had the opportunity to meet members of the Irish community at a reception that was held afterward in the Church Hall. The community warmly welcomed him and his visit was enjoyed by all.
Sr. Christine Hennessy from Project Irish Outreach, Father John McCarthy from the Boston Irish Pastoral Centre and Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities, were also there to meet with him. They were able to inform him of the on-going assistance given to Irish emigrants by the Irish Immigration Centers. Everyone was grateful for his presence and hopes that he will return again for another visit.
Photos from the visit can be found on the IAUSA website.
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National Migration Week
January 6-12, 2013
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Once again the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services office has published a resource kit to celebrate National Migration Week. This year's theme is: "We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues." This theme reminds us of our responsibility as Catholics to help newcomers integrate in ways that are respectful, culturally sensitive and responsive to social needs, and of the ongoing need for comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform.
Additional information can be found on the USCCB website.
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MRS/CLINIC Conference in Atlanta
| | Along with 200 attendees, Geri Garvey, Administrator of the IAUSA, attended the Migration and Refugee Services/CLINIC Conference in Atlanta the first week in December. An excellent presentation on "Migration and the Eucharist" was given by Fr. Dan Groody, CSC, Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. Micheal Hill, Associate DIrector, Government Relations, USCCB, Frank Sharry, Exeuctive Director, America's Voice, and Ana Navarro, Republican Strategist and Political Contributor, Cable News Network gave an enlightening and entertaining panel presentation on "Moving Forward: Immigration Reform in 2013 and Beyond."
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City gave presentations on the Bishops' principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
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National POLL Indicates Public in Favor of a Path to Citizenship
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A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground poll finds that 62 percent of those surveyed support an immigration reform proposal that would allow illegal or undocumented immigrants to earn citizenship over a period of several years. Thirty-five percent oppose it.
The national poll, conducted recently, finds more Republicans - 49 percent - support a path to citizenship than oppose it - 45 percent. Democrats favor this approach 3-to-1, 74 percent to 24 percent. And independents back it by a 26-point margin, 61 percent to 35 percent.
The poll reveals significantly greater overall support, 77 percent, for an immigration law that allows the children of illegal or undocumented immigrants to earn the right to stay here permanently if they complete a college degree or serve in the military. Just 19 percent oppose this key element of the so-called DREAM Act.
The White House reportedly plans to aggressively push immigration reform in January after the resolution of the fiscal cliff that will include a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people now living illegally in this country.
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Drivers' Licenses for DACA Approvals
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Comments from the National Immigration Law Center
In general, applicants for a driver's license must provide documents to establish four types of eligibility criteria: a Social Security number (SSN), evidence demonstrating lawful or authorized presence in the U.S., identity, date of birth, and state residency. All states require an SSN, although many allow alternatives, e.g., for those who are ineligible for an SSN. All states require proof of identity, date of birth, and state residency. The definitions of these criteria, the documents needed to satisfy them, and any exceptions or flexibility in meeting the requirements differ from state to state.
The overview table available here reviews these eligibility requirements as they pertain to individuals granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. Since these state policies are evolving, the information in the table is subject to change.
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The Hill Gears Up for CIR in Next Congress
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The serious work on immigration reform has begun informally among a "gang of eight" Senators who will be key players next year as Congress takes up this issue. Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer of New York, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Bob Menendez of New Jersey are beginning to discuss the issue with Republican Senators John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah and Senator-elect Jeff Flake of Arizona. To read more, go to the Politico article,
In the House, informal discussions have also begun, but members of the group having those discussions have not been publicly disclosed.
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ICE's OFFICE of the PUBLIC ADVOCATE
| | You can find information on the NEW Community and Detainee Hotline (CDH) on the Public Advocate page at ICE.gov.
http://www.ice.gov/about/offices/enforcement-removal-operations/publicadvocate/
The Office of the Public Advocate
Community Helpline: 1-888-351-4024 |
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Join the Justice for Immigrants Campaign | | The Justice for Immigrants Campaign continues to build its grassroots support for comprehensive immigration reform.
If you want to be notified of immigration legislation updates , NOW is the time to join the JFI Action Alert list. Sign up at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org |
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The Irish Apostolate USA is the umbrella organization for the Irish Immigration Pastoral and Outreach Centers in the United States, under the direction of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants.
Please visit our website for more information: Geri Garvey, Administrator
Irish Apostolate USA
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