Washington D.C., Sep 5, 2017 / 03:23 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishops condemned the Trump administration’s decision Tuesday to end a program that benefited hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as minors.
“The cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible,” leading U.S. bishops said in a joint statement released Sept. 5.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, as well as vice president Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, migration committee chair Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, and Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima, chair of the subcommittee on pastoral care of migrants, refugees, and travelers, all contributed to the statement on the Trump administration’s ending of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Young immigrants eligible for DACA have worked in the U.S., served in the U.S. military, and attended U.S. educational institutions, the bishops said, yet now “after months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these brave young people face deportation.”
Attorney General Jeff Sessions had announced Tuesday morning that the Trump administration, in an anticipated move, would be ending DACA, which had begun under the Obama administration.
Under the program, eligible immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as minors by their parents could receive a two-year stay on their deportation. In that time period, they could be eligible for work permits and Social Security.
The program was announced in 2012 by President Obama and implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, in the memorandum “Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children.”
Congress had several times tried and failed to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or a version of it, that would help young immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally before the age of 16 to lawfully remain in the U.S. and even have a path to citizenship.
The most recent version has been introduced this year by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and would grant permanent legal status to more than 1 million eligible persons.
DACA was expanded to include eligible parents who brought their children illegally to the U.S. in a program called “Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents.” In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld a halt on that program going into effect, and Sessions warned Tuesday that DACA could get struck down in court.
On Tuesday, the administration announced it would end DACA by phasing it out. Sessions said that it was an “unconstitutional” overreach of executive power, especially since Congress refused several times to grant such benefits to undocumented immigrants.
“In other words, the executive branch, through DACA, deliberately sought to achieve what the legislative branch specifically refused to authorize on multiple occasions,” Sessions stated.
Sessions also blamed the program for contributing to the recent surge in unaccompanied minors coming to the U.S.-Mexico border from Central America, as well as allowing undocumented immigrants to take jobs that could have been open to U.S. citizens.
Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke stated that the courts would have overturned DACA, and so the administration was trying to “wind the program down in an orderly fashion that protects beneficiaries in the near-term while working with Congress to pass legislation.”
The bishops, in their statement, called on Congress to pass a law to protect the immigrants who would have been eligible for DACA, and promised to continue advocating for DACA youth.
“We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution,” the bishops stated. “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.”
Other bishops also issued statements expressing disappointment in the Trump administration’s decision.
Archbishop Gomez, in a separate statement, said “as a pastor” that ending DACA would result in the possible deportation of 800,000 and would be “a national tragedy and a moral challenge to every conscience.”
“It is not right to hold these young people accountable for decisions they did not make and could not make. They came to this country through no fault of their own,” he said. “Most of them are working hard to contribute to the American dream — holding down jobs, putting themselves through college, some are even serving in our nation’s armed forces.”
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington said that “while the issue of immigration is complicated … “offering special protection to those who only know the United States as home is a reasonable measure of compassion.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the White House Tuesday morning to protest the administration’s announcement.
Carlos, 31, of northern Virginia, told CNA he currently works two jobs to pay for his college tuition and is nine months from finishing school. Without his degree, he would not be able to pursue a nursing career, he said.
“DACA protects young immigrants like myself to achieve their full potential,” he said. “The young people of this country are the future, we are the future of America. And everyone that has a dream, everyone that has a purpose that wants to help someone is also a dreamer, not just myself.”
“Dreamers” are not asking for handouts, Edvin, another immigrant protesting the end of DACA, told CNA.
“I came to this country with nothing,” Edvin said, “now I’m trying to give something back to this country. I am a business owner, I became a home owner, and I contribute to this country.”
“We are not asking for money. We are not asking for food or anything else,” he said. “We just want a chance to work here legally. Just give us documentation to do it in a safe way, no hide under the shadows. Just let us be us.”
Fr. Kevin Thompson, OFM Cap., parochial vicar at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., said many DACA recipients are parishioners there.
“They’re just doing so well and advancing,” he said, and are “adding to this country.”
It is vital “to keep families together,” he said. He also pointed to the Old Covenant, at which time God told the Israelites to “treat the foreigner well, as you were once foreigners in Egypt.”
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network called the announcement a “a heartbreaking disappointment.” Jeanne Atkinson, the group’s executive director, said many young people have benefited from DACA, with 60 percent of those approved for the program contributing to their family’s finances, 45 percent in school, and 16 percent having bought a home.
“Ending DACA will break apart families, throw potentially millions into impoverished living conditions and shatter the dreams of a better life for young people who did nothing wrong,” Atkinson said.
John Garvey, president of the Catholic University of America, said ending DACA without Congress providing a sufficient legislative solution would be problematic.
“Our country’s moral quality is measured by the way we treat those who most need our assistance. DACA has given young people a shot at an education and a better life. Elimination without a more comprehensive solution means abandonment,” he said.
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I’m sorry but the bishops don’t get to weigh in on our immigration crisis because they all share in the guilt of encouraging people to break the law by entering the USA illegally. And, in addition to that, the bishops profitted handsomely by this conspiracy to abet foreigners’ breaking our laws.
I’d suggest that Bishop Broglio try leaving the USA or entering any other country without a passport i.e. illegally and see what the consequences are.
Excellent point, Diogenes.
The bishops have blood on their hands. They have advocated for the illegal migration of millions into this country, which directly resulted in the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Americans due to drug overdoses, plus the sex trafficking of women and children.
Archbishop Broglio and his USCCB henchmen are complicit. It’s just one part of the legacy of Bergoglio.
(Also see: Rupnik, et al.)
I don’t believe the bishops see all sides of the border security issue, especially the tragic effects it’s had on Mexican communities plagued by cartel violence & extortion .Human smuggling just strengthens the cartels through profits & enables turf wars.
On the other hand, some who only see enforcing immigration law as a good in itself can miss the human suffering of those who are taken away from their work in our hotels, landscaping companies, & poultry processing plants. Most of these are otherwise decent folk who are trying to support their families back home & doing jobs many US citizens don’t want.
mrscracker, I do see your point about people wanting to come here to seek jobs and support their families. At the same time, how many of these people are holding jobs that are ‘off-the-books’ and are being paid slave wages? How many in the agriculture industry are picking crops and living in trailers moving from place to place as the seasons change- a totally peripatetic existence? How many jobs come with Workman’s Comp and health insurance? How many have fraudulently obtained drivers licenses and Social Security cards and then illegally vote in our elections as instructed by the DNC?
Let me tell you about someone I counseled in my Psychology practice a few years back. He came to the USA illegally and had to pay a huge sum of money to the cartel that guaranteed his safe passage. At first he was sending a good deal of the money he earned back to Mexico to support the wife and three children he left there. After he was here for a time, he began feeling lonely and he met an Hispanic woman who I guess sensed that he was a hard working guy and a good catch. She got pregnant. Now they are living together and the money he used to send back home stopped because few salaries can support two families. My guess is that his wife and three children are even more destitute than before, the children will be forgotten and will remain fatherless for their lives. Multiply this scenario hundreds of thousands of times. Illegal immigration is not only a crime; in my book it is a sin.
Yes, it certainly creates all kinds of opportunities for abuse & exploitation. That’s why I think we should try to normalize the immigration/work visa status for folks who are employed in our communities & have maintained clean records. It would also allow them to go home & visit their families on a regular basis instead of being stuck here & taking up with new partners.
The real criminals need to be deported ASAP but decent workers are an asset we shouldn’t take for granted. We’ll be competing soon with other nations for workers as our population ages.
I worked for years & years with no health insurance or benefits. Lots of people here live in trailers, not just Hispanic migrants. Agricultural workers are generally legal. I’ve heard that fewer Mexicans want those kinds of jobs these days. Mexico’s no longer a 3rd World nation but there are still pockets of poverty.
I think the bishops see the human suffering without balancing that with the terrible price Mexico pays for our enabling the cartels. The border needs to be secured & the smuggling ended as much as possible. But we can work with people already in the workforce & not try to channel Inspector Javert. There should be a legal, humane & reasonable solution.
Bishops have been paid for “resettlement”.
I am a CPA, if I have any interest in a potential audit client, I may not opine on their financial statements. Why? Because my independence is impaired.
Same here.
Every illegal has a criminal history.
There is a bizarre notion among invasion advocates that somehow if somebody enters illegally, that “laying low” exonerates, excuses or mitigates their illegal entry. I assure you that if you commit tax fraud, the IRS will not defer prosecution simply because you haven’t followed up your initial evasion with another.
This is CCC 2241.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2241:
The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able,
(We are no longer able to do so. We are “broke”. There are cultural and economic reasons that impair our ability to receive more-especially millions-even if they all entered legally)
to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood
(Seeking our welfare state, and the drive by certain industries to maintain subpar wages is not security or means of livelihood)
which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.
(The operative word here is guest. Guests are respectful of their host, the host’s abode, the host’s needs and do not attempt to become squatters)
Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption.
(NOTHING is ever said about the responsibilities of the immigrants or those that violate our sovereignty or their duties)
Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.
(Rioting and insisting on open borders, flying foreign flags and running for office and prioritizing the needs of one’s own tribe, ethnicity, religion or country of origin is NOT respecting with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, obedience to its laws or the assistance with carrying civic burdens.) Ilhan Omar should simply not be in any position of authority.
Bishops seem to have forgotten the citizens of this country have rights and reasonable expectations of a government in protecting their rights as well-and they never seem to worry about our concerns in this regard.
I think Archbishop Broglio may be missing important actions of ICE. Incited by Trump’s MAGA insanity, and the complicit Sec. Noem, and Border Czar Homan, having caused uprisings nationwide. What was ICE’s charter? I heard that the order was to seek out criminals, cartels like MS13.
The criminal actions this week by ICE “officers” handcuffing Senator Alex Padilla and New York Comptroller Brad Lander proved that Trump, again, is out of control.
This week, the raids resumed on farms, meat processors, restaurants, and hotels. I have asked some GOP leaders, Senator majority leader, John Barrasso, GOP Whip and Bill Cassidy, why they remain silent. No response. Seems like nothing has changed.
Dear Pitchfork. I agree with most of your hypotheses. As a Catholic, I most always, favor the decisions of the Hierarchy. I try to refrain from disparaging them. The challenged Church needs the help of its faithful.
No question, migration and the asylum overload are the main causes of criminals entering the country. The text makes no mention of ICE and its mission. ICE appears to be thrust onto the scene. They show little compassion even to the migrants working in the fields. There is strong evidence that Trump’s ICE minions have been given free range. Noem and Homan are using a “scorched earth, slash-and=burn methods. Ex: just this week, Senator Alex Padilla and NYC Comptroller Brad Landon were handcuffed and released. ICE seems to be in every city, even my little city of Kingston, NY. I asked my GOP congressional reps “did Congress appropriate taxpayer money to fund ICE?” No reply. I am amazed that my GOP US reps have remained silent on many issues facing the nation.
Criminal and ruthless cartels, Tren de Aragua and MS13 are driving many of the migrants from their countries. They are in the US.
There have been forceful statements from the church.
Thank you
Mr Morgan, no one comes to our border without having paid off the cartels. And not a few migrants remain in debt to them and are extorted into drug smuggling. It’s a really ugly revolving door that we have cooperated with by not securing the border.
I feel sorry for hardworking migrants who are just here to support their parents and families but the bad ones need to go. Hopefully we can fix our system to reward the good workers and make future entry safe and legal.