MOULTRIE, Ga. — Ever since it was reported that President Trump would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA), protests have occurred throughout the nation, particularly in those areas with heavy Hispanic populations.

In Colquitt County, it’s estimated that there are some 15,000 Hispanic migrant workers here on any given day, but that population is likely the greatest during spring and fall vegetable seasons. These crops are highly perishable and require an immediate work force. Vegetable harvests are highly labor intensive. So far, there have been no orchestrated protests in the Moultrie area.

And it has not been reported by any agency just how the end of DACA would affect the Hispanic population here. But this past weekend, Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, which serves the Catholic population of Moultrie, issued a statement of his concerns.

“Ever since the announcement in September of this year that DACA is to end, my hope has been that Congress acts swiftly and effectively to provide a sensible solution that will be beneficial to the young men and women who now have DACA protections,” Hartmayer said.

Hartmayer noted that these individuals have already been vetted by the Department of Homeland Security as men and women of good moral character and have no criminal history.

“These 800,000 young people were brought into the United States as infants or children by their parents without authorization, and the United States is the only country they know,” said Hartmayer.

Three of the six months have passed before DACA ends. At this point Congress has not acted on this issue. The program is scheduled to expire on March 5, 2018, unless Congress intervenes.

“As I visit the many parishes of our diocese, I meet countless faithful and hardworking men and women of every background, race and ethnicity. As a pastor, I gather all into one flock. Many DACA recipients belong to the flock entrusted to me, and I am concerned for them,” he said.

Hartmayer said immigration law has changed substantially from the time most of our ancestors arrived in our country, making it imperative not to compare times past when the doors to our country were open to the current moment when paths to immigrate are extremely limited and restricted.

“Our diocese and our country need these optimistic, hardworking young men and women. They have already demonstrated honesty, hard work, civic cooperation and a willingness to be part of our American society,” Hartmayer said.

He added, “The Catholic Church in the United States has always welcomed the newcomer in our midst, and worked to provide immigrants with the pastoral and material support they need. Today, DACA recipients need our prayers and support. These men and women and their families worship with us at our parishes, study in our schools, and work in various vital industries of South Georgia.”

Hartmayer said he would like to see Congress take positive action before Christmas, and he encouraged South Georgia residents to contact their U.S. senators and representatives in this regard.

“It will be in our best interest for Congress to respond in a manner that does not interrupt the education, employment and dreams of these young people who yearn for reasonable and effective immigration policy,” Hartmayer said.

Ever since President Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigrants, South Georgia farmers have been a bit uneasy on how this can affect their produce operations.

Back in October, a visit from immigration officers reportedly targeted only a few people in Colquitt County, but still caused some consternation among migrant workers and the farmers who employ them.

A number of people in the low double digits, perhaps 10 or 12 or so, reportedly were picked up in the county, Colquitt County Sheriff Rod Howell said at that time.

Four farmers contacted him to report having workers picked up by officers with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is known by its acronym of ICE, Howell said.

The Moultrie Observer received calls from people connected closely to the migrant population saying ICE activity was greater than reported.

The action was not a blanket sweep but targeted individuals who had police records, Howell said at the time.