June 24, 2016
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.
