}

Dear Senators

As faith leaders from diverse traditions, we write to you with moral resolve after the Supreme Court’s decision to reject President Trump’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA recipients are cherished members of our congregations and communities, and today we rejoice together. This critical ruling affords almost one million young people continued protection from deportation and separation from their families. But their position is still tenuous without a permanent legislative solution. 

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of DACA holders work on the front lines in health care and other essential fields, and many families suffer because of unemployment. And millions of people have taken to the streets to protest the continual murder of Black people at the hands of police. In this tumultuous moment, it is critical that Black and Brown undocumented immigrants are protected. Leaving our immigrant neighbors and family at risk of losing their freedom, jobs, health care, and protection from deportation at this time is unconscionable.

DACA was enacted because Congress failed for decades to provide permanent protection for undocumented youth. Now more than ever, Congress has a moral obligation to pass permanent protections and solutions for all young immigrants without expanding detention, deportation and border militarization that further harm immigrant communities. This includes working to defund the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Customs Border Protection (CBP). We urge Senate leadership to immediately prioritize passage of the bipartisan Dream & Promise Act to allow DACA recipients to continue fully participating in this country. 

When cruel laws and policies tear apart families and hurt our neighbors, the faith community unites to see that justice is done. We call on you to honor and join our efforts.