Spanish
September 5, 2017
We
echo the sentiments of the Bishops of California and the United States
in expressing our disappointment with the decision to rescind DACA
(Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). We call upon Congress to pass
laws that protect these young people, many for whom the United States is
the only place they have ever known. We
also ask Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform, to fix our
broken system and, in so doing, to place the unification of families as
a priority. Working
with Catholic Charities, the Diocese of San Jose will continue to offer
outreach, support and encouragement to all who are affected by policies
and laws that touch so many of our people. I
conclude by quoting today's statement of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops: "As people of faith, we say to DACA youth -
regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and
welcome in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and
will advocate for you." Bishop Patrick J. McGrath
California Catholic Conference DACA Program Statement Click on link - English , Spanish
USCCB Statement
WASHINGTON-
The President and Vice President along with Chairmen of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued a statement
denouncing the Administration's termination of the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after six months. The following
statement from USCCB President Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of
Galveston-Houston, along with USCCB Vice President, Archbishop José H.
Gomez of Los Angles, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, chairman,
Committee on Migration, and Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, chairman
of the Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and
Travelers says the "cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible." Over
780,000 youth received protection from the DACA program since its
inception by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2012. DACA
provided no legal status or government benefits but did provide
recipients with temporary employment authorization to work in the United
States and reprieve from deportation. Full statement follows:
"The cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible. It causes
unnecessary fear for DACA youth and their families. These youth entered
the U.S. as minors and often know America as their only home. The
Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as DACA youth
live out their daily lives with hope and a determination to flourish
and contribute to society: continuing to work and provide for their
families, continuing to serve in the military, and continuing to receive
an education. Now, after months of anxiety and fear about their
futures, these brave young people face deportation. This decision is
unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as Americans. The
Church has recognized and proclaimed the need to welcome young people:
'Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and
whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me' (Mark
9:37). Today, our nation has done the opposite of how Scripture calls us
to respond. It is a step back from the progress that we need to make as
a country. Today's actions represent a heartbreaking moment in our
history that shows the absence of mercy and good will, and a
short-sighted vision for the future. DACA youth are woven into the
fabric of our country and of our Church, and are, by every social and
human measure, American youth. We strongly urge Congress to act
and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution. We pledge our
support to work on finding an expeditious means of protection for DACA
youth. As people of faith, we say to DACA youth - regardless of
your immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the
Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for
you." --- Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
USCCB, United States Congress, Homeland Security, Cardinal Daniel N.
DiNardo, Archbishop José H. Gomez, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, Committee on
Migration, Bishop Joseph Tyson, Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of
Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers, Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals, DACA, legal status, youth, deportation, immigration,
legislative solution. # # #
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