Immigration

The Latest

Dainelys Soto, Genesis Contreras, and Daniel Soto, who arrived from Venezuela after crossing the U.S. border from Mexico, wait for dinner at a hotel provided by the Annunciation House on Sept. 22, 2022 in El Paso, Texas.

What does the Catholic Church teach about immigration and immigrants?

Sep 9, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Catholic Church has long been an advocate and protector of immigrants. Read more

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

Pope Francis: Intentionally hurting migrants ‘is a grave sin’

Aug 28, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope spoke at length about the poor conditions of migrants who attempt to cross a sea or desert to... Read more

Protesters attempt to enter the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, which is housing asylum seekers, on Aug. 4, 2024, in Rotherham, United Kingdom.

UK bishops pray for peace amid widespread violent protests over stabbing attack

Aug 5, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Auxiliary Bishop Paul McAleenan of Westminster condemned the appalling violence over the past week, especially that directed at migrants. Read more

A migrant woman prays in front of an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at a migrant shelter in McAllen, Texas, run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas attorney general appeals decision in case against Catholic nonprofit

Jul 19, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The attorney general’s office is also going forward with investigations into other border nonprofits he suspects of illegal activity, including... Read more

Asylum seekers wait in line to be processed by the Border Patrol at a makeshift camp near the U.S.-Mexico border east of Jacumba, San Diego County, California, Jan. 2, 2024.

San Diego Catholic Charities struggles with security risks after accusation of ‘smuggling’

Jun 20, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Catholic Charities San Diego has been dealing with protests and harassing messages following a claim that it is hosting an... Read more

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at an event marking the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in the East Room at the White House on June 18, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

U.S. bishop applauds Biden’s move to allow undocumented spouses pathway to citizenship

Jun 18, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

To be eligible for this process, noncitizens must have resided in the U.S. for 10 years or more and be... Read more

Groups of migrants wait outside the Migrant Resource Center to receive food from San Antonio Catholic Charities on Sept. 19, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.

Catholic Charities denies its purchase of airfare for migrants was misuse of federal funds

Apr 19, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Rep. Henry Cuellar and Rep. Monica de la Cruz accused the San Antonio Catholic relief group of an inappropriate use... Read more

Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso speaks at the “Responding to Changing Realities at the U.S. Border and Beyond" conference, hosted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic University of America on April 11, 2024.

El Paso bishop criticizes Texas border efforts, laments ‘anti-immigrant’ rhetoric

Apr 12, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

During an immigration policy conference, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz criticized a Texas law that increases the state’s role in... Read more

In 2023, over half a million migrants headed toward the United States crossed the Darien Gap, the inhospitable jungle region between Colombia and Panama.

Pope Francis addresses migrant crisis in Darien Gap: ‘Every refugee challenges us’

Mar 20, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“As Christians, every refugee and migrant who leaves his or her homeland challenges us,” Pope Francis wrote. Read more

Migrants illegally cross the Rio Grande between designated U.S.-Mexico ports of entry.

U.S. bishops weigh in on border deal negotiations

Dec 16, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

In a letter to Congress, the bishops said the policy changes currently under consideration could have a devastating impact on... Read more

Pope Francis prayed for migrants and refugees with the delegates of the Synod on Synodality at St. Peter's Square on Thursday evening, Oct. 19, 2023.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis leads prayer for migrants during Synod on Synodality

Oct 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The simple, 25-minute prayer service took place in a quiet St. Peter’s Square in front of Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz’s... Read more

A migrant boat on the beach at Camposoto San Fernando Cádiz, Spain.

Cardinal denounces enslavement, violence against African migrants en route to Europe

Oct 12, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero said: “We are talking about robberies, violence, rape, and being sold as slaves.” Read more

The Romeike Family.

German Christian home-schooling family reportedly given stay of deportation

Oct 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Romeike family faced potential deportation by the Biden administration after having spent over a decade in the United States. Read more

Migrants outside a foster home in Mexico City.

Archdiocese of Mexico warns migrant reception centers are overwhelmed

Oct 6, 2023

By Diego López Colín

According to the Ministry of the Interior of Mexico, between January and August it had encountered 402,324 undocumented migrants in... Read more

This aerial picture taken on Sept. 14, 2023, shows the U.S.-Mexico border fence with camp shelters left by migrants in San Ysidro, California.

Biden administration to build miles of new border wall in Texas

Oct 5, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The Biden administration had to waive 26 federal laws to resume the construction of the new wall. Read more

Pope Francis smiles during his general audience in St. Peter's Square Sept. 27, 2023.

Europe needs hope, Pope Francis says

Sep 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“How can we welcome others if we ourselves do not first have a horizon open to the future?” the pope... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Cardinal Dolan says Biden ‘doesn’t take my calls’ on migrant crisis in New York City

Sep 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in an interview that President Joe Biden is not responding to his calls or letters about... Read more

null

California federal judge blocks Biden’s ‘asylum ban’

Jul 27, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Referred to by some as a “transit ban,” the policy, which took effect May 11, automatically denied asylum to migrants... Read more

Christ Our Shepherd Center in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Western Pennsylvania diocese invites Ukrainian refugees to visit — and permanently stay

Jul 23, 2023

By Jim Graves

The initiative, funded by Catholic Charities, is being led by Greensburg Diocese’s Bishop Larry Kulick in partnership with Archbishop Borys... Read more

Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States wait as they are processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the early morning hours after crossing into Arizona from Mexico on May 10, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona.

U.S. bishops praise new immigrant family reunification program

Jul 11, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The new program allows certain migrants with family in the U.S. to pursue a path to legal residency. Read more