Alexandria, Va. – In recognition today of the 10th anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — the stopgap federal policy that provides qualifying young adults brought here as children with temporary permission to stay in the country and obtain work authorization — Catholic Charities USA stands with our immigrant brothers and sisters and calls on Congress to take up and pass the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6) or similar legislation to provide permanent protections for all Dreamers.
Since the implementation of the DACA policy a decade ago, the more than 650,000 young people in the U.S. with DACA have accomplished so much and contributed significantly to the vitality of our communities. Many have obtained college degrees and created businesses, and thousands have risked their lives as essential workers and frontline responders to keep us safe and healthy throughout the pandemic.
While much has changed in the lives of DACA recipients over the decade, the policy has remained the same, with no pathway to permanent legal status or citizenship for these young immigrants. Each court challenge or new administration creates new fear and uncertainty about their futures.
We are reminded by Christ’s teachings that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome God. Therefore, we call on Congress to honor the human dignity of these young immigrants by supporting the passage of the American Dream and Promise Act or similar legislation to provide a path to lawful permanent resident status and citizenship for all Dreamers to enable them to fully participate in society with dignity.
Read about two young DACA recipients who received assistance from Catholic Charities immigration legal services here.
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