Because of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers.
This change means that only applications filed before January 2019 are currently being processed, moving forward the Central American minors by a few months but giving clergy with expiring visas, like Castillo, no option but to leave their U.S. congregations behind.
Curtis’ firm advises potential clergy applicants that “there is no indication when you can receive a green card.” “These two sisters know they won’t get green cards,” she added, and they expect to lose other religious sisters and brothers who are teachers, principals and serve in other key roles. “That’s catastrophic.”
Across all faith traditions, there are few options for these workers to continue their U.S.-based ministry, attorneys say. At a minimum, they would need to go abroad for a year before being eligible for another temporary religious worker visa, and repeat that process, paying thousands in fees, throughout the decade – or for however long their green card application stays pending.
But realistic options are so few that the American Immigration Lawyers Association and faith leaders, like Chicago’s Catholic cardinal and coalitions of evangelical pastors, have lobbied theAdministrative solutions could include allowing religious workers to at least file for their green cards, so they can get temporary work authorization like those in other queues awaiting permanent residence.
Back at the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana, Castillo said he has ministered to a family with two young children who survived the Darien Gap, a jungle in Central America favored by smugglers that’s among the most dangerous parts of migrants’ journeys, and a mother and daughter who said they came “through the hole” in the border wall.
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A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers
Read more »
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers.
Read more »
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers.
Read more »
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers.
Read more »
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers
Read more »
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroadBecause of a procedural change in how the U.S. government processes some green cards, faith communities across the country may lose thousands of leaders and workers
Read more »