U.S. Bishops Applaud President Obama's Deferred Action on Deportation for DREAM Eligible Youth

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops(USCCB) welcomes the President's June 15th annnouncement that he will grant deferred action on deportation, on a case-by-case basis,  to young people who have entered the United States by age 15 (who have no felony criminal record).  Speaking for the Conference, Archbishop Jose H. Gomes of Los Angeles stated that, "These youth are bright, energetic, and eager to pursue their education and reach their full potential.  They did not enter our nation on their own volition, but rather came to the United States with their parents as children, something all of us would do."  The Bishops stress, however, that Congress must continue pushing for enactment of the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship as well as work authorization for these young people. Read the full statement here.  Click here for Spanish.