More than 60 people turned out at St. John’s Seminary Jan. 18 for a special workshop on immigration hosted by Isaac Cuevas, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ immigration affairs director. 

Two local Catholics currently protected by the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program presented their stories — Carlos, a filmmaker and creative artist, and Paulina, a graduate student born with cerebral palsy. 

 The pair spoke of the importance of DACA and the need for congressional action to make the program’s protections permanent. Without action by March 5, more than 690,000 young people will lose their permission to work and face deportations, they explained. 

Cuevas’ office, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, is providing assistance to DACA recipients who want to renew their protected status, following the federal government’s announcement that it has resumed accepting applications. To make an appointment, contact Catholic Charities at 213-251-3411. For more information, visit thenextamerica.org

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