Religious leaders, including FCNL’s Executive Secretary Diane Randall, expressed concern at new reports that President Trump is seriously considering ending a program that protects 800,000 young immigrants from deportation.
Washington D.C. - Yesterday, reports that the Trump Administration is considering ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, have formed with just 12 days before the September 5th deadline set by ten state attorneys general, urging the administration to rescind the program or face a lawsuit. Following the biblical mandate to love thy neighbor, seek justice, and offer hospitality, religious leaders from various faith traditions have released the following statements:
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights: Rescinding DACA without a legislative solution would be a devastating blow to the 800,000 young people (and their families) who live, study, and work here as members of our communities. In threatening to end the program, the federal government is using DREAMers for the political agenda of terrifying every undocumented immigrant in our country. Jewish tradition teaches, “ ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Lev. 19:18). This is the most important rule in the Torah.” As faith leaders, it is our moral duty to speak out when ICE attacks our neighbors with cruel and unjust policies, so we will continue to stand up for immigrants, bringing the Torah of justice to the doorstep of President Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Rev. John L. McCullough, Church World Service President and CEO: The CWS network is outraged that the Trump administration would even consider terminating DACA and ruining the lives of 800,000 young people. Since its inception, DACA has allowed young people to pursue their dreams. They are working, going to school, living their lives, and contributing to America. This is their home. Taking DACA away from them would be immoral and wrong. It is critical that the administration not only keep DACA in place but defend it, should the threats made by the attorney generals come to fruition. CWS has stood alongside young people as they fought for and won DACA, and we will continue to stand by them as we fight to protect their victory. We pray that President Trump finds compassion and decides to do the right thing—the futures of hundreds of young people are in his hands.
Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious: The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is deeply concerned by continued threats to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by the Trump Administration and by a coalition of state attorneys general. DACA has provided a common sense path to stability for families, communities, and local economies and a reaffirmation of the values upon which this nation was founded. Ending DACA would cause irreparable harm to families and communities and force 800,000 of our young people back into the shadows. As women of faith we take seriously the gospel call to welcome the stranger and care for those in need. Together with people of faith and goodwill we will continue to work to ensure that the dignity and rights of our immigrant brothers and sisters are fully protected.
Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation: The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) seek a community where everyone’s potential may be fulfilled, and a society with equity and justice for all. Rescinding DACA denies young immigrants a genuine chance to thrive in the only place that they call home. Should President Trump choose to end this essential program, he will break the trust of almost 800,000 young people who believe in the greatness of this country and its people, and the integrity of the government that collected their information. He will devastate communities that rely on and welcome DACA recipients as family, workers, students, and friends. All of us have the Light of God within us and deserve a real chance to pursue our dreams, and shine our Light in the world. Rescinding DACA is not the right choice for our nation, and we call on President Trump and his advisors to keep the DACA program in place and defend it until there is a true, equitable, and permanent solution for all those affected.
Reggie Smith, Director of Office of Social Justice, Christian Reformed Church in North America: Congress must work to reform our broken immigration system, but in the meantime, DACA recipients cannot be stripped of their current protections. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was intended to be a short-term solution, but it has effectively allowed almost 800,000 undocumented youth to come out of the shadows and flourish as God intends for all of us. Abruptly ending this life-changing program would leave these youth without the opportunity to work, drive, and put them at immediate risk of being separated from their families through deportation. The Christian Reformed Church urges President Trump to maintain the DACA program until Congress passes legislation that offers permanent protection for DREAMers.
Press Contact: Hannah Graf Evans, Legislative Representative on Immigration, hannah@fcnl.org
