CCUSA urges Congress to provide further protection for DACA recipients

Migrants and Refugees

February 9, 2018

Alexandria, Va. — Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) President and CEO Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD welcomed the two-year budget agreement passed by Congress last night and urges Congress to pass a bill to provide protections for DACA recipients.

“Through this agreement, communities impacted by hurricanes and wildfires can begin to heal and rebuild. In addition, it provides critical improvements to our foster care system and greater security for families in need of assistance. While we welcome the bipartisan effort that led to this agreement, more work needs to be done. It is our prayer that the same bipartisan effort can now be made on behalf of DACA recipients,” said Sister Donna.

The two-year budget deal provides additional resources for social safety net programs, improvements to foster care programs and includes a supplemental appropriation for communities impacted by the recent hurricanes and wildfires. However, the agreement did not include protection for DACA recipients. Without an agreement before March 5th, DACA recipients face uncertainty and possible deportation.

In a previous letter, CCUSA urged Congress to provide additional resources for social safety net programs, reauthorize the CHIP program and fund community health center related programs. In addition, the letter urged Congress to provide protections for DACA recipients.