Over 1,200 Faith Leaders Support Passage of the Dream and Promise Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123
Mackenzie Harris, mharris@faithinpubliclife.org, (610) 283-8879
Over 1,200 Faith Leaders Support Passage of the Dream and Promise Act
Washington, D.C. — In a 237-to-187 vote, the House of Representatives passed the Dream and Promise Act, a bill that provides a pathway to citizenship for immigrants eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), people who hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and recipients of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Over 1,200 faith leaders from across the country endorsed a national letter urging both houses of Congress to pass this crucial legislation.
“The Trump administration’s decision to end DACA protections for young adults and strip TPS and DED protections away from people fleeing violence and disaster was immoral and cruel,” the letter states. “People who have built lives, raised children and are members of our communities live in constant fear of losing everything. It’s past time for Congress to provide a path to citizenship for all people currently protected by DACA, TPS, and DED so our beloved neighbors can live full, free and secure lives in our communities.”
To view the letter and the full list of signers, click here.
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life:
“Our immigrant neighbors, family and friends are children of God who deserve dignity, respect and citizenship. But immigrant families live in constant fear of deportation by this cruel administration. I commend the House of Representatives for taking a bold and important step toward justice for immigrant families, and I pray that this bill becomes law. Our immigrant neighbors deserve security and citizenship.”
Arlin Tellez Martinez, DACA Recipient:
“As immigrants seeking safety and asylum continue to be criminalized at the border, passage of the Dream and Promise Act is a critical and important step forward. I pray that the Senate will now move swiftly to pass this life-preserving piece of legislation. Temporary protections and empty promises are not enough for my community, my family, and myself. Congress must pass the Dream and Promise Act. This bill would grant me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and bring tranquility to my family.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national network of over 50,000 clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice and the common good.