~ by Ryan Di Corpo, America Magazine
Catholic leaders praised the Supreme Court on Thursday, June 18 following its decision to protect undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children from deportation.
The 5-4 decision was a blow to the current administration, which has advocated to end
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supported the court’s decision in favor of hundreds of thousands of “Dreamers,” as DACA recipients are known. “First, to DACA youth, through today’s decision and beyond we will continue to accompany you and your families. You are a vital part of our church and our community of faith. We are with you,” they said in statement.
Ashley Feasley, director of migration policy and public affairs at the USCCB, said the decision was a “very welcome surprise.” But added that the Trump administration could still end the program.
“Now is the moment to pursue meaningful legislation,” she told America. “The Senate really needs to act on this issue. We don’t want to get back into another court battle.”
Ms. Feasley noted that many Dreamers are college graduates and contribute to a number of service industries. With respect to the pandemic, she pointed out that more than 62,000 Dreamers work in the healthcare industry and more than 70,000 work in food distribution.
Dylan Corbett, the Executive Director of the Hope Border Institute, called the president’s various attempts to repeal DACA “arbitrary and capricious,” adding that the court’s ruling is reason for encouragement.
“This victory belongs to the countless Dreamers who refused to be silenced and forced into the shadows. We still need Congress to act. Pass the Dream Act, cut funding to ICE, tear down walls, set free the detained and restore asylum. The fate of our families and friends is not a question of politics but the work of justice. And this is holy work, moral work,” he wrote.
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) have historically defended undocumented students, reiterated its support of that community. “We pray that the decision means that they will be able to continue their studies without interruption and that others in their situation will be encouraged to pursue their educational goals. To read more, click here