Phoenix, Ariz., Sep 1, 2017 / 03:38 am
The Catholic bishops of Arizona and New Mexico have joined the growing chorus of voices calling on President Donald Trump to maintain the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program (DACA).
"(We) want to reiterate our strong and unwavering support for DACA youth so they do not have to live in fear of deportation," the bishops said in an Aug. 31 statement.
"These young people entered our country as children and should have the opportunity to remain in our country to be educated here and to have opportunities to exercise their gifts for the enhancement of our nation."
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was established under President Obama to protect young people who were brought into the country illegally as children from deportation and to allow them to secure work permits.