Bishops Adopt Rare Special Message on Immigration
At their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a Special Pastoral Message focused on the challenges facing immigrants in the United States. It is the first “Special Message” from the USCCB in twelve years, underscoring the urgency the bishops attach to the current debate over immigration policy.
By the conference’s rules, a Special Message requires approval by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a plenary assembly. This statement passed overwhelmingly, with 216 votes in favor, 5 against, and 3 abstentions, followed by sustained applause.
The letter conveys deep concern over a growing “climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement” and decries the “vilification of immigrants.” It highlights poor conditions in detention centers, limited access to pastoral care, arbitrary loss of legal status, and threats against sacred spaces such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Bishops also express sorrow at family separations and parents’ fears of detention when bringing children to school.
The message states:
“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.”
While acknowledging immigrants’ valuable contributions to the nation, the bishops affirm that respect for human dignity and national security are compatible goals when pursued through just laws and cooperative efforts.
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.
The statement recognizes the government’s right to regulate borders responsibly for the common good and warns that without orderly processes, migrants become vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation. It draws on Scripture—Genesis 1:27, Zechariah 7:10, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Luke 10:30–37, Matthew 25, and John 13:34—to ground the Church’s call to protect the most vulnerable.
Addressing those directly affected, the bishops write:
“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!”
They also praise ongoing support efforts:
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.
The bishops firmly reject “indiscriminate mass deportation” and call for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence. They encourage continued dialogue with public officials to achieve comprehensive 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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