Washington D.C., Feb 26, 2018 / 13:24 pm
The US bishops' conference has designated today, Feb. 26, 2018, as "National Call-in Day for the Protection of Dreamers."
The bishops are urging Catholic to contact their senators and representatives to encourage assistance for the "Dreamers,"--people who were brought to the United States illegally as children and are protected from deportation through the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA's protections are set to expire on March 5. President Donald Trump has said that he is not sure it is within his powers as president to extend the program.
The Archdiocese of Chicago released a video of Cardinal Blase Cupich calling Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) to implore him to "take action to protect the young students" impacted by DACA.
.@CardinalBCupich calls Sen. Durbin now to urge support of #DACADreamers as part of @USCCB national call in day to #Congress pic.twitter.com/JcSaGhE2Qm
- Chicago Catholic (@chicagocatholic) February 26, 2018
Also on Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the Trump administration. The administration was appealing a ruling in January that blocked Trump's efforts to rescind DACA altogether.
Among other things, DACA provides for work permits and protections against deportation for people who signed up prior to the deadline. When Trump announced that DACA would be ending, he gave Congress six months to find a solution. Congress was unable to do so, after several proposed bills failed.
The Supreme Court's decision means that DACA will continue at least through the fall, which in addition to providing Dreamers a bit of a reprieve, also gives Congress time to craft a bill which would codify certain provisions of DACA in to law.
Archbishop Jose. H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice-president of the USCCB, criticized Congress on Twitter for inaction on immigration reform. Gomez accused Congress of shirking its responsibilities on the issue, and encouraged legislators to "resist the temptation to keep using this issue for their political advantage."
"People's lives and families' futures hang in the balance," tweeted Gomez. "Now is the time to pass legislation that enables Dreamers to become citizens and full contributing members of our society."
Gomez further elaborated that it is "wrong" for DACA protections to be stripped. The archbishop has been a leading voice in the USCCB arguing for a change to the United States' immigration policy.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA