New Jersey Archbishop Decries DACA Decision, Supports Immigrants

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — As the Trump Administration presses forward with rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA, which protects about 800,000 immigrants who were brought into the country unlawfully as children, supporters have taken to the streets across the country to defend the program.

• See related article: DACA Is Being Rescinded, Sessions Says

Those supporters include Archbishop of Newark Joseph Tobin, a possible pope successor and North Jersey Catholic leader who took over for former Newark Archbishop John Myers last year.

• See related article: Will The Next Pope Come From NJ? Archbishop Appointed In Newark

On Tuesday, Tobin issued the following statement blasting the DACA decision. (Disagree with Tobin? Support the DACA decision? Let us know why! Send an op-ed with your full name and town of residence to eric.kiefer@patch.com)

Watch: The Trump Administration Just Announced The End Of DACA

From Archbishop of Newark Joseph Tobin:

“The decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive order is malicious.

“It is plainly and clearly wrong for the [Trump] Administration to use as a political tool the lives, futures and security of some 800,000 young people whose only crime, if you ever could call it that, was that they lovingly and obediently accompanied their parents in pursuit of the dream of freedom and opportunity.

“Whether or not the previous administration had authority to institute DACA does not matter. The 800,000 Dreamers affected by the rescission are people. They live in our neighborhoods, attend our schools, fight for our country, and contribute actively in our workplaces. They are contributing to this nation’s future and prosperity. They have followed the rules that have been in place, always praying that Congress would step up to the plate and craft intelligent, heartfelt, long-term solutions to a broken immigration system.

“One can’t hide behind the term ‘legality’ in rescinding DACA. That is an abandonment of humanity, and abandonment of talented and hopeful young people who are as American as you and I.

“The rule of law, first, last and always, must provide a humane, moral code to organize, protect and advance society based on the best ideals and beliefs in our hearts and minds. Catholic teaching calls all people to make a commitment to uphold the dignity of every person and to work for the common good of our nation. Rescinding DACA without having in place through Congress an equivalent and permanent protection for these Americans does not advance society or exemplify our best ideals and beliefs. It is, rather, an abandoning of humanity.

"Today, the Administration not only has closed borders; it also has closed minds and hearts.”

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