As ELCA Lutherans, we stand with our
partner, Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), in
support of young immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. These young
Americans, also known as Dreamers, were protected from deportation through the
Deferred Acton for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The Rev. Elizabeth A.
Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), issued a statement lamenting the
end of DACA today, saying:
“As we lament this change in policy, we call on
members of Congress to pass long-overdue legislation to protect young people
brought to the U.S. as children, also known as Dreamers. Our churches, our
schools, our communities and the country are enhanced by their presence and
contributions. It is time that our immigration policy reflects their gifts to
all of us.”
Please take a moment to read and act on the following message from Javier Cuebas, LIRS Director for
Advocacy, and learn how you can take action to support Dreamers today. To learn
more about how the ELCA accompanies Central American children and families, visit
ELCA.org/AMMPARO.
Call on Your Representatives and Congressional Leaders to Protect Dreamers and Support the Dream Act of 2017.
“Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
Today, Attorney General Jeff
Sessions announced that the Administration has terminated the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). As a result almost 800,000 vulnerable migrants,
who have come to call the United States their home, will be in jeopardy on
March 5, 2018.
Help us preserve this program today!
Under DACA, migrants brought to
the U.S. as children were able to receive work permits and a temporary reprieve
from the fear of deportation, but not a pathway to permanent legal status. Many
of them have as a result found employment (91%), received driver’s licenses
(90%), continued their education (72%), and made substantial contributions to
their communities and the country (contributing $460.3 billion to our GDP).
With a history of welcoming the
stranger in the United States for 75 years, LIRS stands disappointed with the
Attorney General’s announcement. Our faith guides us into a call of compassion
and empathy, especially for those children and youth who are most vulnerable.
Clearly, the outpouring of support from business leaders, faith communities,
educators, governors, mayors, Democrats and a growing number of Republicans has
made it clear that the country stands with Dreamers. The United States can –
and must – continue to provide protections and enact legislative solutions for
Dreamers to continue to thrive.
As people of faith tasked with
the mission of protecting the most vulnerable, let us urge Congress to act swiftly to pass the Dream Act of 2017.
In peace,
Javier S. Cuebas
Director for Advocacy
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
(To view this email in your web browser, click here).
