The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued what it describes as a rare and urgent “Special Message” on immigration, assuring immigrants that the Church stands beside them during a time of growing tension and fear.
According to Vatican News, this is the first Special Message released since 2013 and required the approval of two-thirds of the bishops present at the Conference’s plenary assembly. Nearly 97 percent voted in favor, with only five opposing the measure.
In their message, the bishops directly address immigrants living in what they describe as “a climate of fear and anxiety.” According to the report, the bishops say they “stand with you in your suffering,” acknowledging concerns over hostile rhetoric, conditions in detention centers, and limited access to pastoral care.
The bishops stress that their intervention arises from both pastoral concern and love for the nation. As reported by Vatican News, they explain that “because of their love for their country,” they feel “compelled” to defend “God-given human dignity,” especially for those who are most vulnerable.
They emphasize that upholding human dignity is fully compatible with maintaining national security, stating that “human dignity and national security are not in conflict,” according to the Special Message. The bishops insist that both goals are achievable “if people of good will work together.”
Their message highlights the need for lawful and humane pathways for migration, which the bishops argue can reduce the risks of exploitation and trafficking. At the same time, they acknowledge that nations “regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good,” according to Vatican News.
The bishops also clearly reject policies or rhetoric that dehumanize immigrants or those tasked with enforcing immigration laws. Their statement expresses opposition to “indiscriminate mass deportations” and warns against any form of violence or vilification directed at immigrants or law enforcement personnel.
Grounding their position in Catholic teaching, the bishops point to “the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God,” according to the report. They recall Christ’s consistent concern for the most vulnerable—the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger—and say the Church’s defense of immigrants is a direct response to the Lord’s call to love as He has loved.
As they continue urging lawmakers to pursue “meaningful reform” of U.S. immigration laws, the bishops assure immigrants that the Church remains committed to walking with them, advocating for their dignity, and promoting solutions rooted in justice and compassion.
The full text of the bishops’ Special Pastoral Message follows:
As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones.
Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.
Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.
We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. Without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal pathways serve as an antidote to such risks.
The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). As pastors, we look to Sacred Scripture and the example of the Lord Himself, where we find the wisdom of God’s compassion. The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). In the Lord Jesus, we see the One who became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9), we see the Good Samaritan who lifts us from the dust (Luke 10:30–37), and we see the One who is found in the least of these (Matthew 25). The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).
To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!
We note with gratitude that so many of our clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful already accompany and assist immigrants in meeting their basic human needs. We urge all people of good will to continue and expand such efforts.
We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform.
As disciples of the Lord, we remain men and women of hope,
and hope does not disappoint! (cf. Romans 5:5)
May the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe enfold us all in her maternal and loving care and draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.
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