A diverse group of Pastors and leaders from different denominations and organizations support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in the Memphis community. These Pastors and leaders have been vocal about the need for Congress to pass legislation that protects Immigrant Dreamers.
Below are several quotes from Memphis Pastors and leaders speaking out on behalf of Immigrant Dreamers with DACA.
“Keeping DACA promotes flourishing for those who seek to bless our nation and for our nation itself. Let’s not punish children for the decisions of their parents, especially when they are trying to make our country a great place to live. Give them a chance to do the right thing by doing the right thing for them.” – Matt Miller, Lead Pastor, Woodland Presbyterian Church
“DACA allows 800,000 plus Dreamers, of which 2,000 live in Memphis, to pursue higher education and obtain a job. Therefore, to repeal this program would be to destroy the dreams and hopes these young people have, and to blame them for crimes they didn’t commit. We need to protect Dreamers.” – Larry Lloyd, President, Memphis Leadership Foundation
“Thank God for these young men and women who grace and enrich our community with their presence. I affirm the intent and the continuation of DACA.” – Eli Morris, senior associate pastor, Hope Church”I support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Attempting to unwind DACA will remove a legal process that young people acted on in good faith believing that America had given them an option, though limited and though conditional. They stood up and signed documents which placed them in harm’s way if DACA is repealed. We, as a nation, do not need or want to roll back the opportunity we have previously given to 800,000 young people. Today they are pursuing their dreams and their dreams are part of our future. DACA should not be voted out and our immigrant youth should be supported and encouraged to help make America great.” – Mike Studdard, interim executive director, SuCasa Family Ministries
“DACA provides a path towards justice for those caught in the complexities of our Immigration system. We cannot afford to go backwards in our attempts to repair this broken system.” – Todd Erickson, pastoral executive, Second Presbyterian Church
“We stand in full support of DACA as we get to see every day how these young people get to dream big about their future. Without DACA, 800,000 dreams will come to an end. America is all about helping our children achieve their dreams.”— Greg Diaz, Executive Director, Las Americas Youth Development Center
“STREETS Ministries stands in full support of DACA as we have seen firsthand the opportunities that benefits the families, our communities, and our economy. DACA offers hope to young men and women who typically feel very little hope.” – Reggie Davis, director, STREETS Ministries
“There are approximately 2,000 young adults in Memphis (800,000 in the U.S.) who were brought to the U.S. as children with their parents. Now as young adults, those who are not documented have no way to have an ID, driver’s license, and employment except through DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which is a huge risk of not being continued. …I am a strong advocate that we support those who are currently under DACA to have the same status they currently do allowing them to work, have a driver’s license and be productive members of our community just as so many are already doing now. For me, that is loving your neighbor.”— David Jordan, President and CEO, Agape Child & Family Services Inc.
“Church Health employs several DACA young adults. They are some of our best employees. It would be a burden to our mission if we were to lose them and like taking away our children.” – Scott Morris, CEO, Church Health
“As a Christian leader, it is of utmost importance that I stand up for the rights of children…When Jesus’ zealous disciples tried to send the children away because they were not high on the priority list during that cultural period he had to remind them of God’s priority of inclusion for children. Jesus said, ‘Suffer the little children to come to me for such is the Kingdom of heaven.’ The children of DACA deserve the right to come in under the protection of the United States of America and not be sent away. They deserve our inclusion and blessing.” – Stacy Spencer, senior pastor, New Direction Christian Church
“The children impacted by DACA have grown up as Americans. They had no choice about their circumstances, and it would be unjust for them to be penalized for decisions over which they had no control. They know this country as their country. Many do not speak the language native to their country of origin. They are partakers and contributors to our rich American culture. None of them are threats to America or to the well-being of their communities. The only way they would become threats to our country or culture is to be ostracized from it and the opportunities that their peers enjoy. DACA strengthens our nation by fostering our values and way of life to the next generation, and by promoting justice and liberty for all.” – Steve Noblett, CEO, Christian Community Health Fellowship
“The beauty of DACA is that it protects the vulnerable and innocent while allowing young immigrants in our country to grow up dreaming of education and opportunities that are within arm’s reach. The innocent should not have to be forced into the shadows. The gospel compels us to stand with them and for them.” – Josh Ross, lead pastor, Sycamore View Church
Memphis immigration Project exists to engage issues of Immigration from a theological and biblical perspective.