Catholic Bishops: DACA Cancellation 'Reprehensible' and 'the Opposite of How Scripture Calls Us to Respond'

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops slammed as "reprehensible" President Trump's decision to "wind down" the program that protects immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, charging that the uncertainty as Congress is left to forge a consensus "causes unnecessary fear for DACA youth and their families."

Some 800,000 beneficiaries are covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. "While new applications for work permits will not be accepted, all existing work permits will be honored until their date of expiration up to two full years from today," President Trump said in a statement issued by the White House an hour after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the end of DACA. "Furthermore, applications already in the pipeline will be processed, as will renewal applications for those facing near-term expiration."

"This is a gradual process, not a sudden phase out. Permits will not begin to expire for another six months, and will remain active for up to 24 months. Thus, in effect, I am not going to just cut DACA off, but rather provide a window of opportunity for Congress to finally act."

A joint statement from USCCB President Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB Vice President Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, Chairman of the Committee on Migration Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, and Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, chairman of the Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers, said that "the Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as DACA youth live out their daily lives with hope and a determination to flourish and contribute to society: continuing to work and provide for their families, continuing to serve in the military, and continuing to receive an education."

"Now, after months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these brave young people face deportation. This decision is unacceptable and does not reflect who we are as Americans," the bishops added.

Today, our nation has done the opposite of how Scripture calls us to respond. It is a step back from the progress that we need to make as a country. Today's actions represent a heartbreaking moment in our history that shows the absence of mercy and good will, and a short-sighted vision for the future. DACA youth are woven into the fabric of our country and of our Church, and are, by every social and human measure, American youth."