President Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations has yet to fully materialize, but his administration has launched an aggressive public relations campaign to give the impression that it has. “Politically, I understand why they’re doing this,” said John Sandweg, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “But I think it sends messages that are inaccurate about what ICE has historically done — that this is new” (according to Politico).
As Catholics, we are called to uphold the dignity of every human person, particularly the vulnerable, including migrants and refugees. The current administration’s focus on publicizing immigration enforcement raises moral concerns, especially as it highlights shackled migrants, raids filmed for television, and daily updates on social media about ICE arrests. While immigration laws must be enforced, the Church teaches that policies should be guided by justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity. Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized that migrants “are not numbers; they are people who have faces, names, and stories.”
According to Politico, despite Trump’s campaign pledge to launch “the largest deportation program in American history,” many of those detained have no violent criminal history, and thousands have been released due to lack of detention space. The Church has long emphasized the need for humane immigration policies that protect family unity, provide pathways to citizenship, and avoid criminalizing those seeking a better life.
The administration argues that its enforcement actions are necessary to secure the border. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated, “After four years of a lackadaisical approach to border security and immigration, every lever of executive power is now being marshaled to enforce our laws, mass deport criminal illegal immigrants, safeguard our borders, and put American citizens first” (according to Politico). While national security is important, the Church urges policymakers to find solutions that do not violate human rights or treat migrants as mere political tools.
The impact of deportation extends beyond those arrested; it affects families, parishes, and entire communities. Many undocumented immigrants are married to U.S. citizens, have children who are American-born, or serve in essential roles in the economy. Catholic social teaching reminds us that government policies must recognize the sacredness of family life. As Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, said, “We remain deeply troubled by the separation of families and the lack of due process protections for those seeking refuge.”
While the administration promotes its crackdown as a deterrent, some experts argue that its approach is counterproductive. “The only way to really increase arrests and detention is to just increase the overall number of people that don’t have criminal records,” said Austin Kocher, an immigration researcher at Syracuse University (according to Politico).
Public opinion on mass deportations varies. A Quinnipiac University poll found that 44 percent of Americans support deporting all undocumented immigrants, while 39 percent favor removing only those convicted of violent crimes (according to Politico). The challenge for Catholics is to balance concerns about border security with our moral obligation to welcome the stranger.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that nations have the right to regulate migration but must do so with justice and mercy. As the U.S. continues to debate immigration policy, Catholics must advocate for solutions that reflect both security and compassion. As St. John Paul II stated, “The Church must be a place of welcome for all people, regardless of their immigration status.”
As we witness this unfolding debate, let us remember Christ’s words: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). May our faith guide us to seek policies that uphold human dignity, protect families, and reflect the Gospel’s call to love our neighbors.