Now that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would continue on, Catholic bishops called for U.S. Senators to advance legislation to provide them with a path to citizenship.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) had filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the program, the USCCB website reported.

“We welcome the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision noting that the Trump Administration did not follow proper administrative procedures required to repeal the DACA program," Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the USCCB’ Committee on Migration said in a joint statement posted on the USCCB website.

“First, to DACA youth, through today’s decision and beyond, we will continue to accompany you and your families," the bishops said, USCCB reported. "You are a vital part of our Church and our community of faith. We are with you."

Under the DACA program, approximately 800,000 young people since 2012 have undergone background checks and paid a fee so they could work legally in the United States and have the opportunity to gain an education without fear of deportation, the USCCB reported.

"Permanent legislative protection that overcomes partisanship and puts the human dignity and future of Dreamers first is long overdue," the USCCB said.