A mobilization organized by Catholic Relief Services, in conjunction with the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, enabled nearly 400 Hispanic Catholic leaders to meet with senators on the US Capitol for a conversation about immigration. The aim would be to pass specific legislation that provides a path to citizenship for persons assisted by DACA and holders of “Temporary Protected Status” (received by eligible citizens of designated countries) and “Deferred Forced Departure” (a temporary benefit of immigration that provides for an administrative suspension of removal designated for a specific period).

Antonio Guzman-Diaz, from the Archdiocese of Detroit and Hispanic ministry coordinator, attended a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, according to the Angelus News publication, which would aim to call for changes in the conditions that immigrants face, including all those in their community forced to flee their countries of origin in dire circumstances.

The effort coincides with the sixth National Catholic Congress of Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), titled “Raíces y Alas” (Roots and Wings). Elisabeth Román, the organization’s president, said in a statement that it’s time “for the Latino community to assume its leadership and one way to do so is through advocacy”.

Hispanic Catholic leaders had the opportunity to meet with senators from 30 states, either in person or virtually, depending on each senator's COVID-19 cabinet protocol, representing about 35 dioceses.

“Immigration advocates have increasingly called on the U.S. government to address the root causes of migration through the pandemic as circumstances in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean have worsened. Poverty, violence, corruption, and a lack of jobs in these countries were all exacerbated by COVID, causing people to head north, and leading to a record number of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border”, according to the publication.

Father Juan Molina, president/CEO of the Mexican American Catholic College of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, said it was important to appeal to senators' history and interests on demographic change, and added that as a result of today’s advocacy from Hispanic Catholic leaders Congress will adopt a smarter system of giving foreign aid, especially to Latin America – something the Church has long advocated for that Molina argues “has fallen on deaf ears”, according to Angelus News.

Antonio Guzman-Diaz noted that today it is another opportunity to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. However, he recognizes that will take a while to implement, so in the short term he wants to see new pathways to citizenship for DACA recipients and farm workers.

“Diaz detailed his personal struggles as a DACA recipient to Crux, explaining the struggle of working through the renewal process at immigration offices every three years and the insecurity he and others in his situation are forced to live with”.