COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters of Peace issued a statement decrying President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which will put 800,000 undocumented youth who have grown up in the United States at risk.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace called on Congress to support Dreamers and to pass the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 in order to protect Dreamers.
“We are outraged at the President’s decision, despite public, Congressional, and business opposition, to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program,” said Sister Gemma Doll, OP, a member of the Congregation’s leadership team. “DACA has protected from deportation these individuals, who were brought to the United States as children. The program has allowed these young people to obtain work permits, drivers’ licenses, and other necessary documents in order to build productive, contributing lives here in the United States – and they have done just that.”
Many DACA recipients have made a life in the United States and consider themselves Americans. As a country that boasts of opportunity and the “American dream,” it is disgraceful to turn our backs on those who have worked hard, contributed to society, and who see America as the only home they’ve ever known. These children and young adults have done nothing wrong, the statement added.
“‘Love thy neighbor’ is one of the most basic teachings of the Gospel and spans across faith traditions,” Sister Gemma said. “Ending DACA is slamming the door on our neighbor, not only when they need us most, but after they have been helpful to us. Congress has a moral obligation to do the right thing when the current law fails to adequately protect children who were brought here before they were old enough to make decisions on their own.”
The Dominican Sisters of Peace are committed to creating welcoming communities and will continue to stand in support of human rights for immigrants. The Sisters support actions, programs, and legislation on all levels to protect DACA youth and call for comprehensive immigration reform that would provide additional and viable legal avenues for immigration, reunite families, legalize undocumented persons, and establish opportunities for permanent residency.

About the Dominican Sisters of Peace:
Dominican Sisters of Peace, members of the pontifical Order of Preachers, are vowed Catholic women who strive to live a life of peace-making. The Dominican Sisters of Peace are present in 22 states and two countries. The sisters serve God’s people in many ways, including education, health care, spirituality, pastoral care, prison ministry, the arts, and care of creation. There are 487 sisters and over 600 lay associates affiliated with the congregation. For more information about the Dominican Sisters of Peace, visit oppeace.org.