12.8.2023  In this advocacy update from the Office of Government Relations:

• USCCB Comments on Rule Regarding Unaccompanied Children Program
• Comments Submitted by USCCB on Migration-Related Regulatory Proposals
• Trending and Social Media Highlights

USCCB Files Comments on Rule Pertaining to Unaccompanied Children

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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, together with Catholic Charities USA, submitted comments addressing the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement’s proposed rule regarding the Unaccompanied Children Program.  The comments said in part:

"The USCCB and CCUSA applaud the Agency’s efforts to codify protections that promote the health and well-being of unaccompanied children through this Proposed Rule. Nevertheless, given the ambitious and complex endeavor of codifying each element involved in the custody, care, release, and placement of an unaccompanied child, we appreciate ORR’s request for feedback. While this Proposed Rule is a step in the right direction to codifying the critical terms of the FSA [Flores Settlement Agreement], we note that not all elements of the Proposed Rule, as written, are consistent with the FSA.

"Additionally, we are deeply concerned by and strongly oppose the Agency’s attempts to codify its policy of facilitating abortions through this Proposed Rule. Relatedly, ORR’s failure to adequately enshrine conscience protections within the regulatory text itself should be rectified in the Final Rule. We also note the use of ambiguous terminology throughout the proposed regulation and affirm that these terms should not be construed so as to conflict with the religious beliefs and moral convictions of a faith-based provider."

The full comment letter is available here.

USCCB Submits Comments Regarding Migration-Related Regulatory Proposals

The USCCB submitted comments on migration-related rules proposed by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The DOL’s proposed changes focus exclusively on the H-2A temporary agricultural program; the proposed DHS changes apply to both the H-2A and H-2B programs for temporary migrant workers. The USCCB’s comments on the DOL and DHS rules address the unique vulnerabilities of short-term migrant workers, given the temporary nature of their status, reliance on their employer for basic needs, the fear of reprisal, language barriers, and other factors.

From the comments on the DOL rule: 

"When workers come from another country or district and contribute to the economic advancement of a nation or region by their labor, all discrimination as regards wages and working conditions must be carefully avoided. All the people, moreover, above all the public authorities, must treat them not as mere tools of production but as persons, and must help them to bring their families to live with them and to provide themselves with a decent dwelling; they must also see to it that these workers are incorporated into the social life of the country or region that receives them."

The comments on the DOL rule can be viewed here; the comments on the DHS rule can be viewed here. 

Trending and Social Media Highlights

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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB's) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy.  

The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the USCCB before the U.S. Congress on public policy issues of concern to the bishops. Please reach out to our team if we can be of assistance to you. 

Michelle Gress 
Executive Director
mgress@usccb.org  
Issues: Religious Liberty; Marriage

Bryon Paez
Director
bpaez@usccb.org  
Issues: Domestic Social Development; Catholic Education

Micheal E. Hill
Associate Director
mhill@usccb.org 
Issues: Immigration and Refugee; Communication; Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism

Ingrid Delgado 
Associate Director
idelgado@usccb.org 
Issues: Pro-Life; International Justice and Peace