Archive for the ‘Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees’ Category
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Immigration reform may pass this year, predicts Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as he speaks with Msgr. Kevin Sullivan on JustLove radio broadcast on April 27.
“Political winds, Mr. Appleby says, “are blowing our way.”
Called the “guru of immigration reform” by Msgr. Sullivan, Mr. Appleby offers an inside perspective on immigration reform’s history, hurdles and likelihood of success.
“We don’t have a system based on the rule of law anymore,” Mr. Appleby says. “It’s based on chaos.
“At the border we have a sign that says ‘keep out’ but at the workplace we have a sign that says ‘help wanted.’”
Eleven million people live in the shadows and form an underground economy, he added. Massive deportations divide families and pull parents away from children. Persons struggling for a better life die as they try to cross the desert.
Solutions have been debated for decades, ever since Congress passed its last major immigration reform bill in 1986.
What’s different now “in a word,” says Mr. Appleby, “is the election; both parties have taken note and realized that the demographics of our country are changing and they need to get out ahead of it.”
Tune in to hear the entire show on The Catholic Channel 129, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio.
Looking for information about Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
Catholic Charities is here to help.
Click here to learn how to prepare for immigration reform
Contact us now.
Call Catholic Charities at New York State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636
Tags: campaign, deportations, families, immigrant community, immigrants, Immigration Reform, immigration status, Justice for Immigrants, Kevin Appleby, legal immigration policies, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Posted in New York City, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Giselle Harrington speaks with Msgr. Kevin Sullivan at volunteer luncheon.
Catholic Charities honored seven Refugee Resettlement Department volunteers who together logged more than 700 volunteer hours in just over half a year at an internationally themed volunteer luncheon held Friday, April 26.
“There’s a great need for nonprofit work,” said Giselle Harrington, a volunteer who worked in Egypt and Palestine teaching children with mental disabilities before returning to the United States and volunteering with Catholic Charities. “Volunteers really make nonprofit work happen.”
Similar to fellow volunteers that attended the luncheon, Ms. Harrington helps refugees pull together resumes and find work.
“I use my understanding of how to network,” Ms. Harrington said, “so that people can become employed, self sufficient and have a good result.”
Would you like to help change a life?
Click here to find a volunteer opportunity tailored just for you.
Tags: awards, Giselle Harrington, international community, luncheon, nonprofit, Refugee Resettlement Department, refugees, resumes, volunteer opportunity, Volunteers
Posted in Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 26th, 2013
Press conference spotlights services for Sandy survivors.
By Alice Kenny
Chinatown political representatives joined TV correspondents and reporters at a well-attended press conference held at the Greater Chinatown Community Association (GCCA) in Manhattan’s Chinatown last week to broadcast the latest information about disaster support for Sandy survivors. Watch it on SINOVISION.net.
GCCA, an affiliated agency of the Archdiocese of New York’s federation, is one of more than fifteen social service agencies extending from Long Island to the Hudson Valley providing local, on-the-ground disaster case management to individuals with homes or businesses damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The New York State Disaster Case Management Program, managed by Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York, will provide approximately 200 disaster case managers to assist individuals and families in the 13 -New York counties hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy.
Designed to streamline support and avoid frustration and confusion, the Disaster Case Management program whittles down the complex system of disaster support by providing survivors with a single point of contact to access a broad range of resources. This allows people still reeling from the loss of jobs and homes to avoid the need to search out multiple organizations that might respond to their various needs.
Instead, survivors can relate their experiences and submit their documentation to a single, local disaster case manager who guides them through the recovery process. This local model of providing disaster support proves particularly important in sites such as Chinatown where language barriers can make a confusing process almost overwhelming.
An elderly Chinese man with lung cancer whose basement apartment flooded during the storm, for example, received different answers from so many different places that, by the time he came to GCCA for help, “he was ready to give up,” said GCCA Executive Director Chih-Ping (Andy) Yu.
Disaster case managers are both advocates and expediters for those affected by Sandy. They first assess if clients have unmet needs related to the storm. If people qualify, they will be assigned a disaster case manager to serve as a single point of contact for all assistance, including that coming from insurance companies, private organizations, and government. Then, based on interactions with the client, the service coordinators create individualized disaster recovery plans, including advocating for access to needed services, coordinating benefits, and making referrals for services outside the scope of disaster case management. Existing Sandy-related services for individuals and families range from direct federal and state grants and Small Business Administration loans to insurance advocacy and referrals to the range of not-for-profit and voluntary programs that have been established.
The program is modeled after a similar one run by Catholic Charities Community Services in 34 counties across New York State following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.
Eligibility for the Sandy New York State Disaster Case Management Program is open to anyone with an unmet need that arose from or was exacerbated by Superstorm Sandy, even those who have not applied to FEMA for assistance or are undocumented.
Looking for help?
- Call 1-855-258-0483 to find the location nearest you.
- Are you a Sandy survivor who lives in Chinatown or speaks a Chinese dialect and is looking for help? Contact the Greater Chinatown Community Association, 105 Mosco Street, New York, NY 10013. Phone 212-374-1311. www.gccanyc.org.
- For a full list of disaster case management locations, visit www.catholiccharitiesny.org.
Tags: Archdiocese of New York, Catholic Charities Community Services, Chih-Ping (Andy) Yu, Chinatown, Chinese, Disaster Case Management, FEMA, Greater Chinatown Community Association, hudson valley, Long Island, New York State Disaster Case Management Program, press conference, reporters, Sandy survivors, Small Business Administration, social service agencies, Superstorm Sandy, TV correspondents, undocumented
Posted in Events, New York City, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
The day laborer group, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, joined a small army of volunteers to clean a neglected section of the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park Trail on Sunday.
Together, more than 200 volunteers picked up trash along a neglected section of the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park Trail that runs through the Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers.
Catholic Charities has an ongoing involvement with Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, a group of approximately 300 day laborers in the Yonkers area. Through this program, Catholic Charities educates workers on employment rights and responsibilities to prevent exploitation and abuse. Catholic Charities also assists in the collection of unpaid wages, helps workers get access to healthcare services, provides emergency food, and offers English language and computer skills instruction.
Looking for more information about Obreros Unidos de Yonkers?
- Call (914) 375-6729/48 or visit the office at St. Peter’s Church basement, 91 Ludlow Street, Yonkers, NY 10705
- Call the Catholic Charities Help Line — (888) 744-7900 — for help finding services you need.
Tags: Lenoir Nature Preserve, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, St. Peters Church, Volunteers
Posted in Events, Hudson Valley, Volunteering, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
USCCB President says “Now is the Time” to reform Immigration system- Cardinal Dolan: Suffering of migrants must end
- Path to citizenship should be improved and families protected
- Enforcement should guarantee basic human rights
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said in a press conference April 22 that “now is the time” to fix the nation’s broken immigration system. Cardinal Dolan was joined at the press conference by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the USCCB Communications Committee.
“Let me say that now is the time to address this issue,” Cardinal Dolan said. “As we speak, persons are being deported and an untold number of families are being divided. Human beings continue to die in the American desert. This suffering must end.”
The Catholic Church has much to bring to the national immigration debate, given the Church’s history as an immigrant church, “having welcomed successive waves of immigrants into our parishes, social service programs, hospitals, and schools,” Cardinal Dolan said. “As the pastor of the archdiocese of perhaps the greatest immigrant city in the world, I know first-hand of the many efforts that have been made by the Catholic community on behalf of immigrants.”
He pledged to work with the sponsors of immigration legislation and other elected officials to “achieve the most humane legislation possible.”
In responding to recently introduced immigration reform legislation in the U.S. Senate, Archbishop Gomez said the path to citizenship for the undocumented population in the legislation is welcome, but certain requirements “could leave many behind, remaining in the shadows.” He pointed to the need to shorten the time required to obtain citizenship, to create a more generous cut-off date and to remove barriers for low-income migrants as areas for improvement.
“If the goal [of the legislation] is to solve the problem in a humane manner, then all undocumented persons should be able to participate,” Archbishop Gomez said. He also cited the need to preserve family unity as the cornerstone of the nation’s immigration system.
“This is an important and historic moment for our country and for the Church,” Archbishop Gomez added. “We hope to see the legislation improve and advance, and we will work toward that end. The lives of millions of our fellow human beings depend upon it.”
Bishop Wester said that eligibility for permanent status and citizenship should not be contingent upon enforcement initiatives contained in the legislation. He warned that it could create a de-facto permanent underclass.
Bishop Wester also called for the immigration debate to be conducted in a “civil and respectful” manner.
“This is an important and historic moment for our country and for the Church,” Archbishop Gomez concluded. “We hope to see the legislation improve and advance, and we will work toward that end. The lives of millions of our fellow human beings depend upon it.”
Tags: Archbishop José H. Gomez, Bishop John C. Wester, Bishop Wester, Catholic Church, Catholic community, immigration system, Los Angeles, migrants, parishes, social service programs, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, U.S. Senate, undocumented population, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB Committee on Migration, USCCB Communications Committee
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Uncategorized, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
April 17, 2013
Continuing the Catholic Church’s longstanding commitment to immigration and immigrants, Archbishop Jose Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles and the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, released a statement of welcome for the immigration reform legislation introduced in the Senate today, and pledged that the bishops would carefully examine the bill and work with Congress to ensure that any final measure respects the dignity and basic human rights of migrants.
Here is an excerpt:
The introduction of U.S. Senate bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system was welcomed by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, April 17. Archbishop Gomez also pledged that the U.S. bishops would carefully examine the legislation and work with Congress to ensure that any final measure respects the basic human rights and dignity of migrants.
“I welcome the introduction of legislation today in the U.S. Senate,” Archbishop Gomez said. “The U.S. bishops look forward to carefully examining the legislation and working with Congress to fashion a final bill that respects the basic human rights and dignity of newcomers to our land—migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations.”
Click here to read the whole press release on the USCCB website.
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, also released a statement to the press today.
Here is his statement:
“We are hopeful that the filing of a bipartisan Senate bill on immigration seems, after many years, to make comprehensive immigration reform a real possibility. We appreciate the hard work of the group of Senators and others that has made this possible. We note with special pride and recognition the work of so many Catholic organizations and the leadership of the Bishops on this issue. While we are hopeful and supportive, the bill is complex and requires careful analysis. There will be opposition. We look forward to making suggestions for improving the bill to even better reflect our longstanding concerns for family unification, a fair, legal immigration system, protections for temporary workers, effective, yet humane border security and due process in enforcement. We look forward to working in partnership with many to ensure that this reform happens for a straightforward reason—concern for the common good of the nation and the well-being of individual immigrants and their families.”
Click here to learn how Catholic Charities is helping immigrants and their families.
Tags: Committee on Migration, comprehensive immigration reform, Immigration Reform, reform legislation, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Posted in Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 19th, 2013
A. There are no new laws yet and no “amnesty;” all we have is a bill in the Senate. We are still many months away – if not longer – from any new laws. You can call us at 800-566-7636 to check if the law has passed; we’ll be happy to answer your calls.This Senate bill is only the beginning of the conversation. There will be a long time before we know what the law looks like and before anyone can apply for anything.
B. In the meantime you should NOT give anyone money to any notarios, agencies, or lawyers to prepare an application or help them gather documents. Once we have a Comprehensive Immigration Reform law, there will be many reliable agencies that will help people at low cost and possibly for free. There is no need to pay thousands of dollars now.
C. What you can do is to start preparing on your own in the following ways:
i. Start a box of important documents, including:
1. Identity documents;
2. Evidence of when you came to the US and how long you have been here (the date in the Senate bill is December 31, 2011, but people who came to the US before they turned 16 and would qualify under the DREAM Act, should gather evidence for all those years that they have been living in the US);
3. Evidence of any trips outside the US after the first arrival (evidence of how long they were out of the US);
4. Evidence of work (particularly if you are an undocumented farm worker) or education in the US (particularly for DREAM Act-eligible kids);
5. Copies of any applications you already made to INS/USCIS;
6. If ever arrested, get the certificates of disposition, because those with certain serious convictions will not be eligible to apply, so you will need to show those conviction records to an attorney.
ii. Start learning English;
iii. US citizens who want to sponsor their siblings should talk to an attorney about starting the process now (the Senate bill proposes to eliminate visas for siblings of US citizens – but that can also change);
iv. Save money because there will be penalty fees (Senate bill says $2000, to be paid in stages) in addition to application fees.
Tags: campaign, Catholic Charities, CIR, comprehensive immigration reform, immigrant community, immigrants, immigration, Immigration Reform, immigration status, immigration system, Justice for Immigrants, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, Obtaining Work Authorization, Policy and Advocacy, Preventing Exploitation, refugee, Refugee Act, Refugee Resettlement Program, Reuniting Families, Seeking Asylum, Senate bill, Teaching English and Civics, Undocumented citizens, Undocumented workers, Visa
Posted in Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Friday, April 19th, 2013
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, representing Timothy Cardinal Dolan, shook hands with Senator Chuck Schumer at the formal presentation of the bi-partisan Senate bill on comprehensive immigration reform at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Thursday April 18, 2013.
“The presence of so many diverse groups at the introduction of this bi-partisan bill shows that immigration reform is not about narrow self-interest, but the common good of the nation,” Msgr. Sullivan said.
“The Catholic Church, and in a particular way Catholic Charities, partners with many to promote just policies and provide compassionate services that enable our neighbors to live in dignity as made in God’s image. We understand there are different opinions on this important issue. We will listen, and talk together to move forward to reform our broken immigration system. The good of our country and of individual neighbors and their families demand our commitment. ”
Looking for information about Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
Catholic Charities is here to help.
Contact us now.
Call Catholic Charities at New York State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636
Tags: Catholic Charities, comprehensive immigration reform, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Immigration Reform, immigration system, Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, New York State New Americans Hotline, Senate bill, Senator Chuck Schumer, The Catholic Church, timothy cardinal dolan
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Policy and Advocacy, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Thursday, April 18th, 2013
Msgr. Sullivan meets with immigrants before leaving for D.C. for the presentation of the bi-partisan Senate immigration reform bill.
“We are hopeful that the filing of a bipartisan Senate bill on immigration seems, after many years, to make comprehensive immigration reform a real possibility. We appreciate the hard work of the group of Senators and others that has made this possible. We note with special pride and recognition the work of so many Catholic organizations and the leadership of the Bishops on this issue. While we are hopeful and supportive, the bill is complex and requires careful analysis. There will be opposition. We look forward to making suggestions for improving the bill to even better reflect our longstanding concerns for family unification, a fair, legal immigration system, protections for temporary workers, effective, yet humane border security and due process in enforcement. We look forward to working in partnership with many to ensure that this reform happens for a straightforward reason—concern for the common good of the nation and the well-being of individual immigrants and their families.”
- Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Tags: campaign, immigrant community, immigrants, immigration, Immigration Reform, immigration status, Justice for Immigrants, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, Obtaining Work Authorization, Policy and Advocacy, Preventing Exploitation, refugee, Refugee Act, Refugee Resettlement Program, Reuniting Families, Seeking Asylum, Senate bill, Teaching English and Civics, Undocumented citizens, Undocumented workers, Visa
Posted in Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 12th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Waving signs and chanting slogans, thousands of New Yorkers added their voices Wednesday to a massive national mobilization for immigration reform. They included Oberos Unidos de Yonkers, day laborers assisted by Catholic Charities, who rallied in White Plains. Residents also took part in candlelight vigils in Rockland and Putnam Counties, marched in Newburgh and joined busloads that wound their way from New York City and the Hudson Valley to Washington, D.C. Together they united with tens of thousands of people who met on the Capital lawn to insist that the time for change is now.
“Catholic Charities is both proud and privileged to work with newcomers who contribute to the growth and well-being of this country, the one they call home,” Catholic Charities Executive Monsignor Sullivan said yesterday. “We join immigrants and advocates who will make this case in Washington D.C. and in other parts of the country at a massive mobilization and faith community vigil for citizenship, and fair and humane legal immigration opportunities.”
Wednesday’s outdoor rallies took place as a bipartisan group of senators worked inside the Capital. Known as the “Gang of Eight,” they are negotiating a bill aimed at securing the border, tapping foreign workers for critically needed jobs and creating a path to citizenship.
Catholic Charities helps immigrants reunite legally with their families, obtain proper work authorization, learn English and civics, and prepare to pass citizenship exams. Catholic Charities also assists immigrants in avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing correct information and realistic counsel about immigration status.
For example, Catholic Charities works with Obreros Unidos de Yonkers, a group of more than 300 day laborers in Yonkers. Together, we educate workers regarding employment rights and responsibilities to prevent exploitation and workplace abuse. We also assist in integrating workers into society and provide local resources to assist them in this process.
We do this by:
- Hosting workshops and trainings on worker rights, safety in the workplace, basics of immigration and other topics as needed
- Issuing membership cards with identifying information
- Providing office and meeting space and administrative support for workers
- Assisting in the collection of unpaid wages, access to healthcare services, emergency food, English as a Second Language programs and computer classes.
- Facilitating conversations with local business owners, police elected officials and the community.
Looking for more information about Obreros Unidos de Yonkers?
Call (914) 375-6729/48 for more information on or visit the office at St. Peter’s Church basement, 91 Ludlow Street, Yonkers, NY 10705.
Call the Catholic Charities Help Line — (888) 744-7900 — for more help finding the services you need.
Tags: citizenship, citizenship exams, ESL programs, foreign workers, Gang of Eight, healthcare services, hudson valley, immigrants, immigration opportunities, Immigration Reform, immigration status, jobs, Monsignor Sullivan, Newburgh, Oberos Unidos de Yonkers, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, Putnam Counties, Rockland, Washington DC, White Plains
Posted in Policy and Advocacy, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
