Jesuits advocate for The Dream Act

Stand with the Jesuits in support of Dreamers!

Unfortunately and tragically, the Trump Administration will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA has benefitted an estimated 780,000 individuals who came to the U.S. as children and have known this country as their home, yet lack legal status. 

Through DACA, they have received both temporary relief from deportation and employment eligibility, which has allowed them to more fully integrate into our communities and advance their dreams. In response to the rescission of DACA, Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States said:

"I am deeply disappointed by President Trump's decision to revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and concerned about the impact of this decision on so many of our immigrant brothers and sisters. The Dreamers are woven into our Jesuit schools and we have seen firsthand the challenges and the adversity they have faced - but we have also witnessed their great faith and courage. I urge President Trump and members of Congress to act quickly to develop policies that honor the dignity of our undocumented brothers and sisters, that welcome their full participation in our communities and that ensure family unity."

The Dream Act of 2017, introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, is a bipartisan effort intended to protect immigrant youth who entered the U.S. as children and know America as their only home. The bill offers qualifying immigrant youth "conditional permanent resident status" and a path to eventual citizenship. This bill would protect numerous youth, including the estimated 780,000 individuals who have benefitted from DACA.

Thank you for joining the Jesuits in prayer and action in solidarity with Dreamers. The Jesuit Conference
The young people the Dream Act seeks to protect are contributors to our economy, veterans of our military, academic standouts in our universities, and leaders in our parishes and communities.

Throughout the Jesuit network, there is a great tradition of supporting young immigrants seeking to earn an education and contribute to our communities. 

We ask you to join the Jesuits in the U.S. in lifting up the call of the U.S. Catholic Bishops by urging your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Dream Act of 2017.

(MaineWriter has signed on to this petition. Thank you Jesuits.)