Today is the Call-In Day to Congress, as advocated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Of course, we encourage
advocacy all year. But, today is dedicated to help the nearly 1.8 million Dreamers, young people who were brought into the United States by their parents as children. For one, Dominican Sister of Hope Debbie Blow, OP, who founded
North Country Mission of Hope, reminds us of the
lacking conditions that many children face in their home countries (she’s currently in Nicaragua serving children and families there). As educators and people dedicated to ministering to the poor and marginalized, we have
spoken up about President Trump’s removal of protection for more than 800,000 young people through the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We have seen its harrowing effects
in our hometown. We have
listened to our neighbors explain why the American Dream is imperative to our society.
Now is the time to protect these children. These “Dreamers” were brought to the U.S. as children, some as infants, and they now are in danger of deportation from the only country they have ever known. They may face deportation as soon as March 6th, unless Congress reaches a bipartisan deal to protect them. Today, we encourage you to call your senator and your representative to advocate for dreamers again. Not sure how to go about it? Here are some steps:
1. Call (855) 589-5698 to reach the Capitol switchboard
Press 1 to connect to your Senator. Once you are connected to the Senator’s offices, please ask the person on the phone to deliver this simple message to your legislator:
“I urge you to support a bipartisan, common-sense, and humane solution for Dreamers:
Protect Dreamers from deportation and provide them with a path to citizenship.
Reject proposals that undermine family immigration or protections for unaccompanied children.
As a Catholic, I know that families are not “”chains,” but a blessing to be protected.
Act now to protect Dreamers, our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
2.) Call (855) 589-5698 to reach the Capitol switchboard again
This time, press 2 to connect to your Representative. Once you are connected to the Representative’s offices, please ask the person on the phone to deliver this simple message to your legislator:
“I urge you to support a bipartisan, common-sense, and humane solution for Dreamers:
Protect Dreamers from deportation and provide them with a path to citizenship.
Reject proposals that undermine family immigration or protections for unaccompanied children. As a Catholic, I know that families are not “chains,” but a blessing to be protected.
Act now to protect Dreamers, our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
As people of faith, we take seriously the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and care for those in need. But these young men and women are not strangers; this land is their home! We hope that you will speak up on their behalf.
More resources are available at Justice for Immigrants, especially the DACA and Dreamer resource page that has materials in English and Spanish
