As the U.S. Supreme Court considers lower court rulings that threaten the existence of the DACA program, I add my voice to that of Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, once again urging Congress and the president “to work together to find a permanent legislative solution to the plight of all DREAMers, including DACA beneficiaries. Ending DACA would disrupt DACA recipients’ continued contributions and integration to our country and could needlessly separate them from their families. Not allowing these young people to continue to utilize DACA to reach their God-given potential is against the common good and our nation’s history of welcoming the immigrant.”
Over the years, I have met with young people who have benefitted from the DACA program. Many of these children and young people are in our Northeast Ohio community. They live and worship in our parishes. These young people are bright, energetic and eager to pursue their education and reach their full potential as contributing members of our communities.
On this memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patroness of immigrants and migrants, we pray for the DACA youth in our community and throughout the United States and we ask God for his blessing upon them. May they be strengthened by our love and support.