United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) president Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, vice-president Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, and Bishop Joe Vásquez, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, have asked the faithful to participate in a Call-in Day for the Protection of Dreamers on Monday, February 26.
Dreamers are those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, allowing people who were brought to the United States illegally as children the opportunity to apply for temporary rights to live and work or study in America. The White House has asked Congress to pass legislation to protect the Dreamers before the expiration of DACA on March 5th.
“With the March 5th deadline looming, we ask once again that Members of Congress show the leadership necessary to find a just and humane solution for these young people, who daily face mounting anxiety and uncertainty,” said the bishops.
They asked that individuals contact their Members of Congress and ask them to “protect Dreamers from deportation, provide them a path to citizenship, and to avoid any damage to existing protections for families and unaccompanied minors in the process.”
Call 855-589-5698 to contact your Members of Congress.
The bishops stated, “Our faith compels us to stand with the vulnerable, including our immigrant brothers and sisters. We have done so continually, but we must show our support and solidarity now in a special way. Now is the time for action.”
For additional resources, please visit the USCCB DACA and Dreamer Resource Page.