The family, in all its color and variety, is the most fundamental unit of our society. Bonds between spouses and between parents and children are sacred and transcend all other human boundaries, including those of nationality. The Episcopal Church opposes any effort that would seek to break apart or otherwise damage the integrity of any family regardless of its documentation or legal status. I ask Congress to consider the fate of the children and young people covered by the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals act (DACA) and find a better way to ensure our security that does not destroy families. As a nation may we instead learn to live into the promise of the Prophet Isaiah who said,

"I will soon lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders."  (Is 49:22)

The Episcopal Church recently placed an advertisement in the New York Times stating the support of many of our bishops for the DACA. My name was inadvertently omitted from the list but I stand in full support of our statement. Click on this link to read the full statement of the Bishops of the Episcopal Church.

In Christ, 

The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez

XVI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania