The Leadership Conference of Women Religious shares the disappointment of millions of people across the country who hoped and prayed for relief from the fear and anxiety that is the fruit of this country’s broken immigration system.
Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) promised temporary relief to millions of parents living in fear of deportation and children who worry that their parents could be taken from them at any moment. It offered the chance for more young people to contribute more fully to their communities. President Obama’s executive action was a common sense path to stability for families, communities, and local economies and a reaffirmation of the values upon which this nation was founded.
The Supreme Court’s split-decision allowing the lower court injunction to continue to block relief is not only disappointing, it threatens to divide families and further splinter communities.
Catholic sisters have a long history of accompanying the immigrant community. They continue to minister to these aspiring citizens in schools, hospitals, and service agencies along the southern border and across the country. They see the devastating effects of the current immigration system every day in as they minister to families and border communities.
“As women of faith, we take seriously the gospel command to welcome the stranger and care for those in need. Catholic sisters came to these shores as immigrants to serve immigrant populations. We know the suffering of families torn apart by needless deportations,” said Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, executive director of LCWR.
LCWR and its members will continue to press for relief for families, an end to needless deportations, and the closure of all family detention centers. They will continue to advocate for bipartisan legislation that protects the dignity and human rights of all people; creates an achievable pathway to citizenship; fixes the immigration visa system and reunites families; protects the rights of all workers; promotes the full integration of newcomers; respects the special needs of the most vulnerable; and addresses the violence, persecution, and poverty that force migrants from their homes.
We will continue to stand in solidarity with families, regardless of their immigration status, who labor daily to provide safety and security for their children. We will continue to walk with DREAMers and their families. We will continue to seek fairness for the parents of US citizen children and permanent residents. We will continue to work with all who struggle for immigration justice.