Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement concerning the termination of the so-called “Dreamers” immigration program. It seeks to protect those who were brought into the United States as children and therefore with limited knowledge of immigration laws. They should not be punished for actions they did not knowingly commit.
Most of these young people have known no other country than the United States in which they have been raised and educated. Many are becoming contributing members of our country and enrich us all. There are hundreds of young people in South Dakota who now live in fear and uncertainty.
I fully endorse the statement of Cardinal DiNardo and urge the Congress to quickly enact legislation which provides a just resolution to this matter. Congress should also enact comprehensive immigration reform that protects our borders while building on the long legacy of legal immigration that has served our country well, including in our diocese and state.