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.