We join the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, both in expressing frustration and disappointment with the Administration’s decision to bring an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and in pledging our prayerful support to our brothers and sisters who may be adversely affected by this action. At the same time, we call on those who represent us in Congress to act quickly to find a legislative solution that fixes our broken immigration system and allows these “Dreamers” to remain in the United States, the country that is their home.
The estimated 800,000 young people who have benefited from the DACA program came to this nation as children. They did not make the choice to cross the border without documents - others made it for them. They live in our neighborhoods, worship with us on Sundays, attend our schools, pay taxes, and defend our nation. Many are already generously exercising leadership in our parishes, chanceries and seminaries and are playing key roles as the Church in the United States ministers to people of many languages and cultures. They help all of us to “dream.” Our Church and our society would be weakened without them.
We invite men and women of good will to join us in praying not only for the young people in our communities who are experiencing anxiety and fear as a result of the news of the discontinuation of this program, but also for our elected officials, that they might be blessed with the wisdom and prudence needed to address these important issues in a way that is both just and humane and that reflects who we are as Americans.
For full statement from the USCCB, click here.