News from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 12, 2025

The bishops of the United States have jointly issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marks the first time in twelve years the USCCB has invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops. The message can be found online here and is printed in its entirety below.

Noticias de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, 12 de noviembre de 2025

Los obispos de los Estados Unidos han emitido conjuntamente un Mensaje Especial en el que expresan su preocupación por la situación cambiante que afecta a los inmigrantes en el país. Es la primera vez en doce años que la USCCB recurre a esta forma particularmente urgente de comunicación como cuerpo episcopal. 

Haga clic aquí para leer el texto completo del Mensaje Pastoral Especial de los obispos en español.

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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Immigration Resources and Information

The Catholic Church is committed to defending the sanctity of every human life and the God-given dignity, regardless of nationality or immigration status.  Please see below for information and resources regarding immigration.

Immigration Help – Catholic Charities has identified a central contact for immigration questions and information. Marco Sanchez’s services are those of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. Mr. Sanchez’s contact information is marco.sanchez@catholiccharitiesdov.org or 941-208-2384 (direct office line), 941-599-0851 (cell phone). There is no charge for consultation, either by phone, email or in person.

Know Your Immigration Rights — “Know Your Rights!” brochure in English and Spanish (courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in partnership with CASA of Maryland, Detention Watch Network, and National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild.)

The USCCB has numerous resources outlining the rights of immigrants located on the website www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

Additionally, for a guide to better understanding immigrant rights in the workplace please visit: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/know-your-rights-workers.

More Information

Statement from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, 1/22/25, click here.

Statement from Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, 1/22/25, click here.

Joint Statement from Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO, Catholic Health Assocation of the United States, and Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO, Catholic Charities USA, 1/23/25, click here.

Recursos e Información de Inmigración

La Iglesia Católica está comprometida a defender la santidad de cada vida humana y la dignidad dada por Dios, independientemente de la nacionalidad o el estatus migratorio.  Consulte a continuación para obtener información y recursos sobre inmigración.

Ayuda de Inmigración – Caridades Católicas ha identificado un contacto central para preguntas e información de inmigración. Los servicios de Marco Sánchez son los de Caridades Católicas, Diócesis de Venice, Inc. La información de contacto del Sr. Sánchez es marco.sanchez@catholiccharitiesdov.org o 941-208-2384 (línea directa de la oficina), 941-599-0851 (teléfono celular). No hay ningún cargo por consulta, ya sea por teléfono, correo electrónico o en persona.

Conozca sus Derechos de Inmigración — Folleto “¡Conozca sus Derechos!” en inglés y español (cortesía de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos en asociación con CASA de Maryland, Detention Watch Network y el Proyecto Nacional de Inmigración del Gremio Nacional de Abogados).

La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB, por sus siglas en inglés) tiene numerosos recursos que describen los derechos de los inmigrantes ubicados en el sitio web www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

Además, para obtener una guía para comprender mejor los derechos de los inmigrantes en el lugar de trabajo, visite: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/know-your-rights-workers.

Más información

Declaración de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, Arzobispo Timothy P. Broglio, 22/01/25, haga clic aquí.

Declaración del Obispo Mark J. Seitz, presidente del Comité de Migración de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE. UU., 22/01/25, haga clic aquí.

Declaración conjunta del Obispo Mark J. Seitz, presidente del Comité de Migración de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE. UU., Sor Mary Haddad, RSM, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de la Asociación Católica de Salud de los Estados Unidos, y Kerry Alys Robinson, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de Caridades Católicas de EE. UU., 23/01/25, haga clic aquí.

Other News

False Claims about Catholic Organizations Serving Newcomers

Responding to False Claims About Catholic Organizations Serving Newcomers (August 2024):  A new document has been issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which responds to false claims about Catholic organizations serving newcomers. Highlights from the document are outlined below. The document in its entirety can be found here.

Claims Regarding Criminal Activity (e.g. Trafficking, Smuggling, Harboring, Child Exploitation)

Catholic organizations cooperate in providing humanitarian aid with local, state, and federal officials. Further, federal agencies often rely on Catholic organizations for their expertise as trusted partners within local communities. Like all organizations that receive public funds, Catholic organizations are expected to adhere to requirements for the use of those funds, consistent with applicable laws and Church teaching.

Unaccompanied migrant children are among the populations that can only be served as part of a formal program established by the federal government. Catholic organizations participating in this program are continuing the Church’s longstanding concern for this vulnerable population and are focused on decreasing opportunities for children to be exploited, not the reverse.

Claims Regarding Financial Enrichment, Self-Interest, and Political Motives

Catholic organizations have been serving newcomers throughout the history of the United States, well before public funding was offered for this purpose and regardless of who occupied public office. Accusations levied against the Church for providing refugee assistance and resettlement are nothing new; anti-Catholic bias and misinformation has surrounded this ministry since its beginnings. However, assisting newcomers is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy and Integral to Catholic identity.