News / Press Release

Sister Simone Campbell Outraged Over Administration DACA Decision

For Immediate Release: September 5, 2017
Contact: Ashley Wilson, awilson@networklobby.org, 202-601-7856

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to Attorney General Sessions’s announcement today that the Trump Administration will end DACA over a six month period, Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“It is unconscionable that President Trump and his administration are shutting down DACA without any protections in place for over 800,000 young people who are now at risk of deportation. While he has called Dreamers ‘incredible kids,’ his words ring hollow since today’s actions jeopardize their lives and well-being. Once again, President Trump has sided with the most extreme anti-immigrant, white supremacist voices in his party. In doing so, he has threatened young, hardworking immigrants even though they are substantially contributing to our schools, workplaces, and places of worship.

As people of faith, we are called to love thy neighbor. Make no mistake: Dreamers, who have been here for at least a decade and call the U.S. their home, are our neighbors. Faith teaches us to value, welcome, and protect families, not tear them apart. Today’s announcement leads to undue stress with the promise of family separation, and these actions go against all faith values.

“While Republican leaders have called for Congressional action, Republicans have willfully refused to address our broken immigration system to date.

For Dreamers, there is a bipartisan solution that has been introduced in both Chambers of Congress: the Dream Act. NETWORK wholeheartedly endorses the Dream Act and will tirelessly work for this and any permanent solutions. Our nation’s Dreamers and their families deserve our full support and protection.

“And, to the Dreamers I say, we are with you. Catholic Sisters, and all the activists of NETWORK will be with you in the struggle for your protection and the protection of all of your family members. Your home is here. We love and support you.”

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Sister Simone Campbell and other Catholic Sisters are available for interviews. Contact Ashley Wilson at awilson@networklobby.org or 202-601-7856 to arrange a conversation. La Hermana Simone tiene disponibilidad de comunicación con los medios en español.

NETWORK – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters –   educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. NETWORK has a more than 40-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good.