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Here is s very special message from CatholicVote.org:
Attorney General Jeff Sessions made a big announcement today...
And we wanted to let you know what's going on -- free of media spin.
The Trump Administration is revising “DACA” or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
So what is DACA again?
DACA is an executive order issued by President Obama in 2012 (and expanded in 2014) allowing children brought into the country illegally by their parents to apply for protection from deportation, including work permits and Social Security benefits for up to 2 years.
You may recall that despite repeated promises, he failed to take up immigration reform during his first term (opting for Obamacare instead). Sensing the political pressure, Obama finally acted by issuing executive orders in the months leading up to his re-election. Since that time as many as 800,000 people (mostly adults brought into the country as children) have applied for protection under DACA.
Helping children sounds good. What exactly is the problem?
What President Obama did was unconstitutional. No president has the power to effectively exempt entire groups of people from laws passed by Congress. And the Courts have said so. Even President Obama in 2011 said that the President does not have the power he later invoked under DACA. You can watch the video here: http://www.catholicvote.org/obama2011/
Predictably, DACA was challenged in court, and like a similar Executive Order (DAPA), was expected to be terminated in the coming days. Those who had qualified under DACA would have been immediately subject to deportation and their benefits eliminated.
One way or another, DACA was going to end.
Our Catholic Bishops supported President Obama’s executive order. Many Americans have likewise expressed sympathy for children of illegal immigrants. But that doesn’t change the fact that DACA is illegal. As expected, the “fix” chosen by President Obama has only inflamed the debate, with partisans on both sides demanding unworkable solutions (deport everyone vs. amnesty for all). These passions over immigration were a big reason why Trump won the White House last year.
So where does this leave us now?
CV has repeatedly called for protections for those who, through no choice of their own, were brought into our country illegally. After President Obama issued his executive orders, we warned that his unconstitutional maneuver to circumvent Congress would only inflame divisions across the country.
Only Congress has the power to pass new legislation. In 2014, we called on Republicans to act. Democrats slandered Republicans as racist and demanded a more “open border” policy while Republicans emphasized enforcement first. And of course President Trump has repeatedly stirred the pot. The truth is neither party is sinless.
That’s interesting. What is the media not telling me?
The announcement this morning includes several important provisions:
- The termination of DACA will not take effect for six months. This allows adequate time for Congress to take up legislation and find a compromise that is both reasonable and constitutional.
- While new applications under DACA will cease today, all pending applications will continue to be processed;
- Despite rumors, there will NOT be any targeting of DACA enrollees for deportation. The White House has repeatedly emphasized that their focus is on criminals and those who pose a threat to the country [worth noting, deportations under President Trump so far are less than those under President Obama].
President Trump has repeatedly shown a willingness to support protections like DACA for children of illegal immigrants. But he has also called for funding to build a border wall and clarity on enforcement of our laws. Republicans in Congress seem to agree that some DACA-like reform is needed. But Democrats want “standalone” legislation that only deals with reforming DACA.
So what’s a Catholic to think?
The debate will be difficult. Any fix for DACA will require facing some tough questions. How do we protect the innocent without rewarding those that broke our laws? Or how to we avoid providing incentives for more flaunting of our laws? How do we show compassion for those seeking a new life in America while also showing compassion for our own citizens?
Catholics in good conscience can disagree on the appropriate level of immigration to allow and how to best reform our laws. For Catholics, there is no Church dogma on immigration policy. Careful reasoning, respect for human dignity, persuasion, and prudence are all necessary tools.
CV supports protections for children brought here illegally. And we support fixing our broken system.
President Trump agrees.
It’s time for Congress to get to work. |
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Brian Birch, President
Catholic Vote |
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