Say it will make difference in the life of many immigrant young persons
MIGRATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF DREAM ACT, EXPRESSES USCCB SUPPORT
WASHINGTON—In an April 3 letter to sponsors of the legislation, Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, expressed the support of the USCCB for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (or DREAM Act), legislation which would legalize the status of thousands of undocumented youth in the United States.
The legislation (S. 729, H.R. 1751) applies to young persons who entered the United States before the age of fifteen, have been physically present in the United States for five years, and have earned a high school diploma. The bill would also repeal federal restrictions that limit the ability of states to offer them in-state tuition.
The letters were sent to Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), primary sponsors in the U.S. Senate, and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), primary sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“This legislation would make a difference in the lives of undocumented youth who were brought to the United States by their parents and now, because of their lack of legal status, face obstacles to their future,” Bishop Wester wrote.
The bill would apply to students in both public and private schools, including Catholic schools. Young persons would become eligible for permanent legal status upon completion of two years of college or two years of honorable service in the military. Approximately 65,000 youth per year would benefit from the DREAM Act.
“The DREAM Act represents a practical, fair, and compassionate solution for thousands of young persons who simply want to reach their God-given potential and contribute to the well-being of our nation. We urge Congress to pass this measure as soon as possible,” Bishop Wester
said.
Full text of the correspondence follows.
April 3, 2009
Dear Senator Durbin:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I write to express our support for S. 729, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).
This legislation would make a difference in the lives of undocumented youth who were brought to the United States by their parents and now, because of their lack of legal status, face obstacles to their future. By removing such barriers, the DREAM Act permits immigrant students to pursue a promising future through college education or military service.
Those who would benefit from the DREAM Act are talented, intelligent, and dedicated young persons who know only the United States as their home. They can become some of the future leaders of our country, provided we are wise enough to provide them the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Under the DREAM Act, deserving immigrant youth can adjust to permanent resident status provided that they entered the United States before age sixteen, have been physically present in the
United States for not less than five years, demonstrated good moral character, have no criminal record and do not threaten national security, and have earned their high school diploma. This bill also offers students a fair opportunity to earn U.S. citizenship if they commit to and complete at least two years of college or two years of honorable service in the military.
Importantly, this legislation will apply to students in both public and private education, including those attending Catholic schools. It will also place a college degree within their reach by removing restrictions currently in law that limit states from offering them in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
It is important to note that these young persons entered the United States with their parents at a young age, and therefore did not enter without inspection on their own volition.
The DREAM Act represents a practical, fair, and compassionate solution for thousands of young persons in our nation who simply want to reach their God-given potential and contribute to the well-being of our nation. We urge Congress to pass this measure as soon as possible.
Thank you for introducing this important piece of legislation. We look forward to working with you until it becomes law.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Bishop John C. Wester
Bishop of Salt Lake City
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration
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PRESS RELEASE:
CATHOLIC SCHOLARS RELEASE EASTER STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF DREAM ACT
On Easter Sunday, the Board of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS) issued a statement supporting passage of the DREAM Act (S. 729 and H.R. 1751). Expressing solidarity with “our alternately documented immigrant youth,” the statement is consistent with letters sent to Congress by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on April 3, 2009. Many of the members of ACHTUS are professors, researchers, administrators and graduate students in colleges, universities and seminaries across the US and Puerto Rico. This issue is a reality they experience on a daily basis and they felt that as educators they could not remain silent.
Commenting on the Board’s decision to release the statement on Easter Sunday, Carmen Nanko-Fernández, ACHTUS President, observed “It seems appropriate, in this liturgical season, that we support hope for our children as we celebrate the promise of new life. It does not benefit our nation or our church to have young people who must live permanently in fear of deportation for decisions often made on their behalf.” This is not the first time that ACHTUS has publically called for policies that address immigration with compassion and justice. In 2006 they issued a statement on “Just, Comprehensive, and Humane Immigration Reform.”
The text of the STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THE DREAM ACT is also available on the ACHTUS website at http://www.achtus.org/
Direct inquiries to Dr. Carmen Nanko-Fernández, President, ACHTUS at achtus@ctu.edu
Full text of the statement follows.
Easter Sunday
12 April 2009
Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States [ACHTUS]
STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THE DREAM ACT
We, the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS), reaffirming our 2006 public stance on Just, Comprehensive, and Humane Immigration Reform, stand in solidarity with our alternately documented immigrant youth who, because of their lack of legal status, live in the shadows with limited access to the educational options necessary for a secure future.
As an association of scholars, whose members are primarily teachers, researchers, administrators and graduate students in colleges, universities and seminaries across the United States and Puerto Rico, we are particularly committed to supporting Hispanics engaged in their academic studies. With the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops we urge passage of S. 729 and H.R. 1751, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).
In keeping with our mission to accompany nuestras comunidades in the United States, and faithful to the social teachings of our Church, we are compelled to advocate for just means that provide educational opportunities for our children to participate in our shared destinies as a nation and as a Church.
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