Statement on the June 18th U.S. Supreme Court Decision on DACA

Most Rev. William E. Lori, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, expressed enthusiastic support for the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“I join my fellow bishops throughout the United States in commending the majority decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the protections granted to the nearly 800,000 young immigrants of our nation who must have every hope of becoming part of the fabric of our communities, as intended by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  We have a sacred charge to protect those most vulnerable and to provide pathways of opportunity and hope.

For generations of immigrants, the United States and the Catholic Church have been comforting and welcoming havens for those facing extreme hardship and persecution in their homelands.  Our country is a place where dreams are pursued and potential realized.  This is our nation’s great legacy and one that we must promote and continue in our day.”

Bishop-elect Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, a longtime advocate for the Latino community and newly appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, echoed support for the decision and urged further legislative action.

“We urge our legislative leaders to pursue meaningful immigration reform and to relieve the burdens placed on those at risk due to legislative stalemate and inaction – the children most of all.  At a time when so many in our country, especially in the Latino community, are suffering the added health and economic burdens imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is all the more imperative that we take this action.  The Lord’s instruction is resoundingly clear: ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

As Catholic Christians, it is our joy to pray with and minster to all who seek a better way of life for themselves and their families, and to embrace our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable among us.  May we never tire of working toward the day when we can celebrate true justice and equality for all of our sisters and brothers in need.”