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Immigration: Dream Act of 2019 April 2nd, 2019
A bipartisan bill entitled the Dream Act of 2019 (S. 874) was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2019. If passed, the Dream Act of 2019 would provide some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other Dreamers a path to earn lawful permanent residence and a pathway to citizenship in the only country they have ever known since childhood.
Additionally, on March 12, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6) was introduced in the House of Representatives and has more than 200 co-sponsors. The American Dream and Promise Act would provide qualified DACA recipients protection from deportation and an earned pathway to citizenship. American Dream and Promise Act would also provide lawful permanent resident status for eligible individuals from countries designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
Many religious leaders and organizations have endorsed the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. They are urging concerned citizens to pray and advocate on the issue and are calling on elected leaders to muster up the moral courage to pass the bills. His Holiness Pope Francis continues to call for a change of attitude towards migrants and refugees fleeing violence and famine. He also cautions against creating barriers or inciting ‘fear of other’.
Protect Migrant Dreamers: Support “Uniting and Securing America” (USA) Act of 2018 May 11th, 2018
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate–JPIC has joined other faith-based organizations in support of the bipartisan Uniting and Securing America Act (USA) Act, H.R. 4796 (a bill similar to the Dream Act). This bill will also provide migrant Dreamers with a path to citizenship and address the push factors of migration from Central America.
The USA Act 2018 has over 48 bipartisan original cosponsors. If passed into law, it would provide Dreamers who have lived in the U.S. for at least four years, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, the opportunity to earn permanent legal status if they meet certain requirements, for e.g. if they pursue higher education, enlist in the military, are gainfully employed, and meet other additional requirements. The bill also strengthens border security through the use of technology and development of a comprehensive southern border strategy.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports both the Dream Act and the USA Act 2018. They strongly urge you to make your faithful voice heard.
Take Action and let your House of Representatives know of your support. Urge them to take legislative action on both the USA Act and the Dream Act.
On February 26 Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers February 22nd, 2018
Join U.S Catholics on February 26: National Call-In Day to Protect Dreamers
On Monday, February 26, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Catholics to call Congress and demand they act on behalf of Dreamers. Please join with other Catholics across the country in calling on Senators and Representatives to urge them to give Dreamers protection and a path to citizenship.
There are approximately 1.8 million Dreamers (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals-DACA) living in this country who were brought to the United States as young children and teens. They worship with us in our churches and serve in the military, contribute to the economy, and bring diverse talents to American society.
The DACA program, which previously granted temporary legal status to Dreamers, was revoked by the current administration and will expire on March 5, leaving almost a million Dreamers vulnerable to arrest, deportation and separation from their families.
As Catholics, we are taught to care for the foreigner: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt 25:35). This is our faith tradition as Christians – to care for our neighbor.
Your voice is needed! Take Action on February 26 to Protect Dreamers.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and its Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) are calling all Catholics to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge them to take action for Dreamers.
- Please call 855-589-5698 to reach the Capitol switchboard and press 1 to connect to your Senator. Once you are connected to the Senator‘s offices, please ask the person on the phone to deliver this simple message to your legislator:
“I urge you to support a bipartisan, common-sense, and humane solution for Dreamers. Protect Dreamers from deportation and provide them with a path to citizenship. Reject proposals that undermine family immigration or protections for unaccompanied children. As a Catholic, I know that families are not “chains,” but a blessing to be protected. Act now to protect Dreamers, our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
- Please call 855-589-5698 a second time to reach the Capitol switchboard again. Press 2 to connect to your Representative. Once you are connected to the Representative’s office, please ask the person on the phone to deliver the same message as above.
After completing your call, please go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org to learn more about Dreamers and find other ways to voice your support.
Support the BRIGDE Act for Young Immigrants January 18th, 2017
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate JPIC joins other faith organizations including US Catholic Bishops in urging that members of Congress lead by example and compassion by co-sponsoring the BRIDGE Act. This bipartisan effort will ensure the safety and dignity of nearly one million young immigrants who are contributing to our communities and love this country, but who may be at risk for deportation.
Created in 2012 through executive action, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to come out of the shadows, work, attend school and be protected from deportation. Another executive action can easily end the program.
BRIDGE ACT “Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy” is a bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in an effort to provide temporary relief to young people currently protected from detention and deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, should DACA be rescinded.
As people of faith, we believe in protecting the dignity of every human being, especially children. These young immigrants entered the United States as children and know America as their only home. BRIDGE Act would help to protect DACA youth from deportation and prevent the devastation that comes with family separation.
Join us by urging your members of Congress to co-sponsor the BRIDGE Act. Let them send a strong message that withdrawing DACA has moral and economic consequences for communities.
Find your members of Congress by going to this website:
https://www.congress.gov/members
In his message for the 2017 World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis calls special attention to child migrants; “The rights of children are a cause for special concern, as among migrants, women and children are particularly vulnerable. Children especially are often “invisible” because they lack documents or arrive in new countries without accompaniment.”
A Disappointing Ruling For Millions Of Immigrants June 23rd, 2016
By a 4-4 split, the U.S Supreme Court has ruled against President Barack Obama’s immigration plan – Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The two initiatives were announced by President Obama to provide some deportation relief and work permits to qualified undocumented immigrants. This means the decision by a lower court upholding the preliminary injunction against these immigration relief measures will stand.
“It is very sad indeed to see that this process is caught up in partisan politics and what continued inaction will mean for immigrant families,” said U.S Missionary Oblates Provincial Fr. Bill Antone, OMI. “These decisions open the door to serious injustices in which talented young immigrants who have grown up in the U.S. and their precious parents and families are torn apart by deportation simply to satisfy short-sighted political interests.”
Missionary Oblates JPIC joins other faith communities, religious leaders and immigrant rights groups in expressing deep disappointment with this ruling. Earlier this year, diverse faith based organizations joined in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of these two executive orders to provide deferred action for millions of undocumented families.
The fact is DAPA and DACA would have helped millions of immigrant families to stop living with the constant threat of family deportation.
