Unless Congress acts soon, the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will expire on March 5, 2018. In order to make this program permanent, it is urgent that the U.S. House of Representatives pass legislation before the end of 2017.
According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, roughly 84 percent of U.S. voters said DREAMers brought to the U.S. as children should be allowed to remain in the country. Almost 77 percent said they should be allowed to apply for citizenship. Among Republican voters, 70 percent said DREAMers should be allowed to remain in the U.S. and fifty-seven percent said they should have a chance at citizenship.
Bishops around the United States, and especially in California, are calling on all people of faith and good-will to contact their local representatives by phone, email or letter to urge them to do the right thing and support the DREAM Act and make the DACA protections permanent.
“Our elected officials know what they need to do. They need to know right now that we care — and that millions of voters care also,” said Archbishop Gomez of Los Angeles in a letter to all people of faith. Do what you can and visit action. thenextamerica.org for prayers and other actions to defend the lives of more than 800,000 young people. Give the gift of hope and send an email to your elected officials and share this message with your friends and families. [Catholic Legislative Network – Dec. 15, 2017]
“The Holy Family is a “model of life” for every family because Jesus, true man, chose to be born into a human family and thereby blessed and consecrated it. Let us therefore entrust all families to Our Lady and to St Joseph, so that they do not lose heart in the face of trials and difficulties.”