Statement on Ending DACA

Statement by Sister Carol Keehan, DC, President & Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA)


September 6, 2017 – The recent decision by the Administration to repeal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is unjust and immoral. More than 800,000 young people, who are currently contributing to America’s communities and economy, are at risk of being ripped away from their families and subject to deportation. Some of these Dreamers have studied and worked hard to become caregivers and team members in Catholic health organizations across the country. They are part of the fabric that makes this country great.

The principles of our founders stress a commitment to justice and the dignity of every human being. We hope that Congress will operate with those same principles and act swiftly to protect these young individuals before the DACA program terminates in six months. This is very unfair to these hardworking young people and our entire country will be the loser if it is not reversed.

» Download PDF Version of the CHA Statement


The Catholic Health Association of the United States is the national leadership organization of the Catholic health ministry, representing the largest not-for-profit provider of health care services in the nation.

  • 1 in 6 patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital each day.
  • Catholic health care, comprised of more than 2,200 hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, systems, sponsors, and related organizations, serves the full continuum of health care across our nation.

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