Advocates pledge to keep working to protect all immigrants
For Immediate Release:
June 18, 2020
Contact: Heather Cabral, heather@westendstrategy.com, 202-550-6880
WASHINGTON — After years of uncertainty, faith leaders and advocates from LA RED, a campaign of Faith in Action, welcomed the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program with a sigh of relief. In statements responding to the decision, LA RED leaders, many of whom are DACA recipients, pledged to continue pushing for immigrant justice and protections for all migrants:
“The Supreme Court’s decision is such a relief for all of us that survive in this country because of DACA. This gives us the opportunity to keep fighting for the rights of ALL immigrants! We still have millions of immigrants who have no relief and I know now I can keep fighting for all of us.” Catalina Morales, coaching and development manager, LA RED (DACA recipient)
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court brings much needed relief to DACA recipients in our network. We can all feel the weight of anxiety suddenly lifted with the good news from the Supreme Court. We’ll celebrate for now, and DACA recipients are protected, but the violence toward our immigrant families perpetrated by the administration continues. We will continue to protect our immigrant families from mass detention, mass deportation and work to end white supremacy,” said Richard Morales, policy and program program director for LA RED.
“The Supreme Court decision is a relief not only for myself, but all the DACA recipients and their families. It reminds me that organizing works, lifting up our stories works. As I celebrate this moment, I want to remind Congress that we still need a permanent solution with a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented people in the country,” said Nanci Palacios, deputy director for Faith in Florida (DACA recipient), a statewide federation of Faith in Action.
“With today’s decision on DACA, I can finally breathe easier knowing that I can pursue my goals in life with confidence. Many DACA recipients and allies worked endlessly for this to happen and it is by their work that we got a win for our community. I can continue to pursue my educational goals of going to medical school and help others along the way,” added Cirenio Cervantes, leader with Faith in Florida (DACA recipient).
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