Archive
Our Crisis of Character
I spent a week touring and working in respite centers along the southern border. While we were there, our team tried to help arrivals work through the trauma they had experienced, hoping to alleviate their intense anxiety. In this report, I walk you through the challenges faced by asylum seekers coming to the U.S. and…
What Is Public Charge? The State of Oregon Addresses Frequently Asked Questions on DHS Rule Change
Background: On August 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it has finalized the new public charge rule. The new rule will take effect October 15, 2019; it is not retroactive. Changes include, but are not limited to, expanding the kinds of public benefits considered in the public charge test. Under the…
Places to stay cool (interactive map) and resources for recognizing heat-related illness (multilingual)
With temperatures climbing into the high-90s this week, we want to share this interactive map to help you find cool places to stay and this multilingual flyer to help you recognize heat-related illnesses like heat stroke.
OPB Explores the Challenges Faced by Rohingya Genocide Survivors in Portland
“There are complications [for resettling Rohingya people in the U.S.],” says by Arya Surowidjojo at OPB. “Khin Niang Cing, Hussein’s resettlement case manager with Catholic Charities of Oregon, said Hussein managed to bring his children’s birth certificates but not his marriage certificate. “This missing document, compounded by the slashing of the refugee resettlement quota by…
Oregon Community Foundation invests $500,000 in Catholic Charities of Oregon to support the Save First Small Loan Fund
Funds will support consumer and credit-building loans to help Oregon families overcome financial emergencies and build financial resiliency.
Catholic Charities, Portland City Council, others among those providing legal services to local immigrants
Using property tax collections, the Portland City Council approved $500,000 last year to provide legal aid to local immigrants. With lawyers from Catholic Charities, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Immigration Counseling Service, Innovation Law Lab, and Metropolitan Public Defender, more than 341 people were provided lawyers to represent them in deportation hearings, and 105 (including 23…
Catholic Charities' Save First Financial featured on KUNP Univision Portland
Save First Financial featured on KUNP Univision Portland (Spanish). For the Save First segment, skip to around 6:00.
Catholic Sentinel: "New chairwoman for Catholic Charities of Oregon advises humility and love when the agency is engaging the public."
Ed Langlois at the Catholic Sentinel introduces Alma Trinidad as Catholic Charities’ incoming chairwoman of the board. Here Dr. Trinidad emphasizes the need for humility and love when engaging Oregonians on topics like immigration, poverty, and racial diversity. Read the full article.
Save First Featured in "Catholic Charities sees success with Save First program"
Save First Financial Wellness Director Molly O’Donnell discusses the program’s short- and long-term impact on financially vulnerable communities in this article by Hannah Sievert in the Portland Business Journal. Read the article to learn more about how Save First is addressing the immediate financial needs of the financially vulnerable and how Save First is using…
Migration Services Featured in "'A blanket of fear’: How deportations affect children"
A recent article in the Catholic Sentinel discusses the destructive effects of deportations and detentions on children and families. The Catholic Sentinel’s Katie Scott spoke to Pope Francis Center Director Vanessa Briseño, Intercultural Counseling Center Manager Lucrecia Suarez, Immigration Legal Services Director John Herrera, and retired immigration judge Michael Bennett. Read the article on their…
Catholic Charities Featured in "Catholic Charities to take over St. Francis Dining Hall in Southeast Portland"
Catholic Charities is proud to expand our partnership with the St. Francis Dining Hall and build on what parishioners have been doing for decades. Read The Oregonian’s article to learn more about this collaboration with local parishes.
Resources for Those at Risk of Detention or Removal
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) has developed two resources that may be useful in the event of a detention or removal attempt: “Know Your Rights” cards in several languages and the rapid response toolkit. If you need further assistance, please contact our Immigration Legal Defense team at (503) 542-2855 or by emailing immigrationemail@ccoregon.org.