Students Take Part in Lenten Advocacy Call-In Campaign for Dreamers

Caldwell, N.J., Feb. 27, 2018 -Students at Caldwell University had their first experience in advocacy work Feb. 26 when they contacted their federal representatives to urge them to support Dreamers, young people who were brought into the United States by their parents when they were children.

The call-in day was spearheaded by the U.S. Bishops including Archbishop of Newark, Joseph Cardinal Tobin. The bishops encouraged all Catholics to join in the day and spur their representatives to support a bipartisan, common-sense and humane solution for the 1.8 million Dreamers.

CU Catholic Relief Services club members Danielle Shiavone, Yaskayra Gonzalez, Joe Severino, Jessica Cusimano and Brooke McPherson gathered in the call center with Colleen O’Brien, director of Campus Ministry, as they contacted the lawmakers. “Calling our senators and representatives on behalf of Dreamers today is a way of using our voice to advocate for those who are on the margins of our society. This is a simple way of enacting change in our world and we can do it right from our own phones,” said O’Brien.

Although a few of the students said they were nervous at first, once they got into the process they agreed that it was fun making a difference as a group.  “I liked how we were all together,” said Severino. Schiavone said she felt good about standing up for an injustice. “We are supporting fixing it.”  Cusimano said it was important for Congress to hear from students and understand they care about an issue that affects other students. Gonzalez appreciated when there was a live person on the other end of the phone when she made one or two of the calls.

On Feb.26 the Supreme Court ruled that it will not take up the DACA case which means DACA will continue at least temporarily.

For further information go to http://www.rcan.org/archdiocese-newark-participating-226-national-call-day-dreamers or https://justiceforimmigrants.org/what-we-are-working-on/immigration/daca-resource-page/.