We, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, were co-founded by an immigrant (Bishop David), the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from Pittsburgh that merged with us were founded by six immigrants from Eastern Europe, and we have served immigrant populations for over 200 years. We recall God’s challenge to remember we were all once strangers in a foreign land (Exodus 22:21) and as Christians have chosen to follow Jesus’ way of welcoming “the stranger” (Matthew 35:25).

We know that this country was built on and continues to be built up by immigrants. Individuals of the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program have begun families of their own. Twenty-five percent of these individuals risked their lives as front line workers to the COVID-19 response. Their economic contribution in taxes, social security, medicare funds, rental payments, and mortgages is a stimulus to an economy in great need.

We affirm the presence of individuals in the DACA program. We urge our government to continue to renew their DACA status. We invite all citizens to urge their legislators to pass legislation that will protect these individuals and help them seek a path to citizenship.