Washington, DC – Today, lawyers for Batalla Vidal, et al., No. 18-589, one of the DACA cases under consideration at the U.S. Supreme Court filed a letter asking the Court to consider how the COVID-19 global health pandemic would impact DACA recipients and their families. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition urges the Supreme Court to heed these words and delay a decision on DACA until it considers the current national and global reality and full ramifications of any decision.
One of the issues before the Supreme Court is whether the Trump Administration considered all the relevant consequences of the impact on the public of DACA termination before it made its decision to eliminate the program. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp relief how high the stakes are for families if the Court lets the Trump administration do what it wants, however it wants.
Giovana Oaxaca Najera, a DACA recipient and Government Relations Associate at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said: “In the midst of a national emergency, and at a time when so little is certain about the scale of the public health crisis, a decision on DACA now would be incomprehensible and immoral. It would jeopardize the life and livelihood of not just DACA recipients, but communities all over. The crisis has brought into sharp relief the inequities in access to healthcare and assistance available to marginalized communities, and especially immigrants. The Supreme Court must take into consideration the full repercussions and consequences of a decision at this time.”
Itzel Hernandez, a DACA recipient and immigrant rights organizer for American Friends Service Committee, said: “As a DACA recipient, my community is hanging on to the protection and stability that DACA provides. The Coronavirus pandemic has raised those stakes even higher—the very lives of DACA recipients like me and their families rest on what the Court decides. The Supreme Court should not issue a decision in such uncertain times and when they issue a decision, the courts should side with the thousands of DACA recipients working to keep our communities safe during this pandemic. We are calling on President Trump to use his executive power to stop the deportation of DACA recipients and undocumented young Americans and instead extend DACA renewals. DACA is more than a work permit. It is a protection from deadly detention and deportation systems and has helped keep families and communities together.”
José Arnulfo Cabrera, Director of Education and Advocacy for Migration at Ignatian Solidarity Network, said: “The COVID-19 epidemic is affecting everyone, including DACA recipients and their families. The Supreme Court should delay its ruling on DACA, and the U.S. government should extend our work permits.”
“If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we are stronger together and we need to look out for each other. DACA recipients are part of our families, communities, congregations, and networks. The Supreme Court should take its time and consider all of the ramifications of a decision before making one on an issue that affects so many lives,” said Rev. Teresa (Terri) Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. & Canada.
“Ending DACA right now would further upend the lives, livelihoods, homes, and stability of 700,000 young immigrants who grew up here, at a time when the entire country is struggling,” said Rebecca Cole, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church. “At least 27,000 DACA recipients are health care and support workers, and many others are working in essential positions that this country relies upon. One of DACA recipients’ most important roles, of course, is as parents. Over 250,000 American children have parents with DACA. Their children need them, it would be unconscionable and immortal to take their parents away in the midst of this crisis.”
“Now is not the time to inject more stress and uncertainty into these young families’ lives. The Trump administration should extend DACA work permits for two years, and the U.S. Supreme Court should delay its decision until the COVID-19 crisis is past and our communities can recover and ultimately rule in favor of DACA recipients,” said Faith Willams, Associate Director, Government Relations & Advocacy, National Council of Jewish Women, Inc. and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
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