U.S. Bishops’ full statement on immigration and opposing mass deportation released

On Nov. 12, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a rare “Special Message” focused entirely on immigration — the first time they have used this format in more than a decade. The last such message came in 2013, when the bishops publicly opposed the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. This new statement was overwhelmingly approved at their general assembly in Baltimore, with 216 bishops voting in favor, five opposed, and three abstaining.

In the pastoral message, the bishops say they feel compelled, as spiritual leaders tied closely to their communities, to speak out because they see rising fear, hostility, and confusion surrounding immigration enforcement. They describe widespread anxiety about profiling, the deteriorating tone of public debate, and rhetoric that demonizes immigrants. They express concern about overcrowded and difficult conditions in detention centers, the limited access to pastoral care there, and the fact that many immigrants have unexpectedly lost legal status due to policy changes. They also point to threats against the sanctity of churches, hospitals, and schools — institutions Catholics believe should be treated as safe and protected spaces. The bishops say they have personally encountered parents afraid to take their children to school for fear of being detained, as well as families already torn apart.

While acknowledging these problems, the bishops emphasize that immigrants have long bolstered the nation and made significant contributions to the country’s vitality. They insist that speaking up now is an act of love for both their faith and their nation. Catholic teaching, they say, requires respect for the inherent dignity of every person, including those who migrate. They call for genuine and comprehensive immigration reform, arguing that upholding human dignity is fully compatible with maintaining national security.

The bishops affirm that nations do have the right and responsibility to manage their borders and create orderly immigration systems that safeguard the common good. However, they stress that without fair and functional processes, immigrants become vulnerable to trafficking and other forms of exploitation. They argue that legal and safe immigration pathways are essential to preventing such abuses.

The message roots the Church’s position in Scripture, reflecting on the biblical emphasis on protecting the vulnerable — including the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers. They point to Christ’s own life as an example of compassion for those on the margins, invoking passages about the Good Samaritan, Christ’s solidarity with the poor, and the commandment to love others as He loved.

Addressing immigrants directly, the bishops offer reassurance, saying the Church stands beside them in their suffering and considers their struggles the struggles of the whole community. They express gratitude for the priests, religious communities, and lay Catholics who already support immigrant families, and they urge people of goodwill to expand those efforts.

The bishops oppose blanket mass deportations and ask for an end to rhetoric or actions that strip immigrants — or law enforcement — of their humanity. They pray for wisdom for national leaders and emphasize their ongoing willingness to work with policymakers. Their commitment, they say, is to continue advocating for reforms that treat immigrants with the dignity they believe God has bestowed on every human being.

Source: America THE JESUIT REVIEW