USCCB Committee on Migration Chairman Endorses USA Act and Calls for Immediate Legislative Solution for Dreamers

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, Bishop Joe Vásquez, of Austin Texas, announces support for H.R.4796, the "Uniting and Securing America" (USA) Act of 2018 as it is currently written. The USA Act is a bipartisan bill that offers a path to citizenship to Dreamers and augments existing border security technology at the U.S./Mexico border.

"We are hopeful our support of the current version of the USA Act, and our continued support of the Dream Act, will encourage Congress to act now and find a humane legislative solution for Dreamers," noted Bishop Vásquez.

The USA Act would provide qualifying Dreamers with protection from deportation, as well as a path to citizenship. Additionally, the USA Act of 2018 would augment border security at the U.S./Mexico border, in part through deployment of new technology; increase the number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration Appeals staff attorneys; and seek to address root causes and prevent future irregular migration from Central America.

On the need for immediate action, Bishop Vásquez stated: "Every day, my brother bishops and I witness directly the constant anxiety of Dreamer youth and their families, and that experience of urgency moves us to press Congress for an immediate and durable solution to this problem."

For more information, including Bishop Vásquez's letter to the House of Representatives in support of the USA Act, see https://justiceforimmigrants.org/what-we-are-working-on/immigration/daca-resource-page/.

---
Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB,USCCB Committee on Migration, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Dreamers, Congress, House of Representatives, USA Act, "Uniting and Securing America," U.S./Mexico border, U.S. security, citizenship, deportation, immigrants

###

Media Contacts:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Mark Priceman
202-541-3064