Columbans stand firmly against today’s decision from the administration to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach Director, Scott Wright stated: “The administration’s decision to terminate the DACA program is unconscionable. This critical program allows young people who came to this country as children to meaningfully contribute to the country they call home. Today’s decision benefits no one, but instead puts the futures of 800,000 members of our communities at risk.”
This decision will leave hundreds of thousands of families and young adults in incredibly vulnerable and uncertain situations. As children of the Gospel, we honor God’s call to welcome the stranger and uphold family unity. Ending the DACA program flies in the face of both.
In the wake of such a dramatic and inhumane announcement, we call on Congress to immediately enshrine the protections of DACA into law by passing the bipartisan DREAM Act. The administration’s abdication of compassionate leadership demands that Congress fill this void by enacting permanent protections for these young people.
These protections, however, must not be used as a bargaining chip or come at the expense of protections for other migrant populations or human border policies.
Columbans in the United States and around the world will continue to walk arm-in-arm with our migrant sisters and brothers, knowing by the light of faith that human dignity is more essential than legal status.
Copyright © 2024 Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Washington, D.C.