September 15, 2017

Letters to the Editor

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After DACA decision, Franciscans urge bipartisan effort to pass DREAM Act

The Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg is deeply disappointed by the decision of President Donald J. Trump’s administration to suspend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order, and break our nation’s promise to 800,000 young Dreamers. We urge congressional passage of the bipartisan Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would convert DACA into federal law.

The Dreamers are young people brought as children to the United States by their undocumented immigrant parents. They have grown up in the United States, serve in the U.S. military, attend our finest colleges and universities, are employed by many respected companies, and have distinguished themselves as good neighbors and members of our communities.

With DACA’s promise of gaining lawful status in the United States, more than 800,000 Dreamers applied for DACA, providing the U.S. government with all of their personal information.

The withdrawal of DACA not only breaks that promise, but makes the Dreamers easy targets for deportation because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now knows who they are, and where they live, work and attend school.

Dreamers are our neighbors, students and friends. They need our support, our prayers and our action.

Franciscan Sister Maureen Irvin
Franciscan Sister Margie Niemer
Franciscan Sister Joanita Koors
Franciscan Sister Mary Beth Gianoli
Leadership Team
Sisters of St. Francis
Oldenburg, Ind.
 

Photos of Archbishop Thompson reveal much, Criterion reader says

The Criterion’s photographs of new Archbishop Charles C. Thompson have revealed a man who may be benevolent, devout, charitable and cheerful.

These photos of the archbishop remind me of the late New York Gov. Al Smith, known as “the Happy Warrior.”

May God grant Archbishop Thompson a long and happy life.

- Joseph Mucha | Pittsboro

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