WASHINGTON—On Sunday
evening, the White House released Immigration Principles and Policies that are
a proposed list of priorities to be considered when working on legislative
protection for Dreamers. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, Chairman of the
Committee on Migration, issued the following statement urging Congress to
“ensure true protection for Dreamers once and for all.”

Full statement follows:

“The Administration’s
Immigration Principles and Policies do not provide the way forward for
comprehensive immigration reform rooted in respect for human life and dignity,
and for the security of our citizens. They are not reflective of our country’s
immigrant past, and they attack the most vulnerable, notably unaccompanied
children and many others who flee persecution. Most unfortunately, the
principles fail to recognize that the family is the fundamental building block
of our immigration system, our society, and our Church.

“Since July, Congress
has introduced legislative solutions for Dreamers, including the Dream Act. The
Administration should focus attention on ensuring that a legislative solution
for Dreamers is found as soon as possible. Every day that passes without that
solution, these youth experience growing apprehension for their futures and their
families. Each passing day brings us all a step closer to March 2018, when DACA
recipients will begin to lose legal work privileges, and far worse, face the
threat of deportation and family separation.

“For this reason, we
exhort Congress to take up legislation and move forward promptly to ensure true
protection for Dreamers once and for all. Together with so many others of good
will, we shall continue to offer welcome and support to these remarkable young
people, and we shall not stop advocating for their permanent protection and
eventual citizenship.”

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Keywords: U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Committee on
Migration, Immigration Principles and Policies, DREAMERS, Dream Act, Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, U.S. Congress, young people,
citizenship.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops