June 5, 2019
Media Contact:
Janine Walsh, Communications Coordinator
(203) 685-1856
walsh@franciscanaction.org
Franciscans Applaud the Bipartisan Passage of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019
Calls on the Senate to Bring the Bill to a Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Franciscan Action Network applauds the House of Representatives for passing legislation to protect our vulnerable immigrant communities, this is good progress. The Senate must now act to bring this bill to a vote and finally give assurance to DREAMers and TPS holders.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, better known as the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. The bill provides a pathway for DREAMers, TPS holders, and DED recipients to attain their green cards if they meet certain requirements and also cancels removal proceedings against them. This bipartisan legislation gives all immigrants hope in a time where their status is caught in a legal limbo in our immigration system. These immigrant communities would have had to continue enduring these unjust conditions, which is why the House acted now to give these migrants the security they need.
As early supporters of the American Dream and Promise Act, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) believes as Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director of the Franciscan Action Network states: “It’s a positive and welcome step to protect migrants, strengthen our economy, and keep families together.” FAN applauds the House for acknowledging this and coming together to help our vulnerable immigrant brothers and sisters. This bill is a step toward a more just and accepting society, one which reflects the message that Jesus tells in the gospel to care for the poor and vulnerable. The bill is also in line with the spiritual counseling of Pope Francis to “build bridges, not walls”.
As St. Francis was a man of action, preferring to live the gospel rather than preach it, the Franciscan Action Network calls on the Senate to be like St. Francis and act, by bringing H.R. 6 to a vote as soon as possible. The lives of over 800,000 migrants, who have lived in the United States since their childhood, need an answer from Washington, D.C. immediately. The Senate owes it to our immigrant sisters and brothers to act.
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