Bishop: Immigration debate can wait until DACA passes

Published: February 5, 2018

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor released his letter dated Feb. 2 to Arkansas’ senators and representatives in Washington to ask them to pass legislation to protect DACA recipients. The bishop is also encouraging all Catholics to write or call the U.S. senators and their representative to vote in favor of a “clean” DACA bill.

His letter read:

“I am writing to urge you to pass a clean Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) bill in February that will include a path to citizenship. There is grassroots bipartisan support for a just and humane solution for the Dreamers whose fate is in your hands.

“If enough members of Congress commit to focusing on a narrowly-tailored bipartisan solution, DACA only legislation is possible that will provide urgently needed relief for Dreamers. They and their families who have worked hard and made valuable contributions to our country deserve certainty and compassion. Dreamers should not be used as a political bargaining chip for other legislative proposals.

“The Catholic Church in Arkansas is home for thousands of Dreamers. There is a way to meet their needs while maintaining our country’s safety and security. The larger debate on comprehensive immigration reform and ‘the Wall’ can wait. Before time runs out on DACA, please do what is right in the eyes of the majority of Americans who expect you and your colleagues to be compassionate toward Dreamers.

“I join Catholics and non-Catholics alike in Arkansas and across our nation who have been urgently calling upon you to use your leadership to enact a bipartisan legislative solution for Dreamers that is humane, proportionate and just. It is completely within your power to pass a stand-alone DACA bill with a path to citizenship for Dreamers and now is the time to do it.”

Phone calls to the U.S. representatives can be made to (202) 225-3121 and U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121. Emails can be sent through this site.