U.S. Catholic Bishops Issue Urgent Message on Immigrant Dignity

During their recent assembly in Baltimore, members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops took an uncommon step to address concerns about the nation’s immigration landscape. This Special Message—issued for the first time since 2013—reflects their deep unease over the treatment of immigrants and the atmosphere of fear affecting many communities.

Plenary Vote and Procedural Context

At the Fall Plenary Assembly, the bishops invoked a “Special Message,” a mechanism reserved under Conference regulations for circumstances deemed exceptionally urgent. To pass such a message, two-thirds of members present and voting must approve it. In this case, the statement was adopted with 216 votes in favor, 5 against, and 3 abstentions, prompting sustained applause from the assembly.

Core Concerns Highlighted

In outlining their worries, the bishops pointed to a range of issues from detention center conditions to threats against houses of worship. They emphasized the human toll of policy and rhetoric, noting both anxiety around profiling and the real trauma of family separations. In their own words:

"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."

Calls for Reform and Compassion

The bishops stressed that, despite challenges, immigrants have long enriched the nation. They called for policies that balance border security with respect for human dignity. Citing Catholic teaching, they asserted that genuine national security and compassionate treatment of newcomers are compatible and urged meaningful immigration reform.

Supportive Outreach and Prayer

Recognizing ongoing pastoral efforts, the bishops expressed gratitude for clergy, religious, and laity who already accompany and assist immigrants. They encouraged expansion of these services and rejected indiscriminate mass deportations, dehumanizing rhetoric, and violence directed at any group.

"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.