Immigration reform

The Latest

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles speaks at a press briefing at the Vatican, Oct. 22, 2015.

Immigration is a family issue – An interview with Archbishop Gomez

Nov 18, 2016

By Matt Hadro

In the wake of the presidential election Catholics must remember that immigration is a global issue involving real families, the... Read more

Child migrants' home countries have only grown worse, US Congress is reminded

Oct 24, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The number of Central American migrants to the U.S. might be down this year, but their problems at home have... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Aug. 12, 2015.

Read the full text of Pope Francis' visit to a school in Harlem

Sep 25, 2015

Pope Francis visited Our Lady, Queen of the Angels school in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on Sept.... Read more

Sophie Cruz, the child of immigrants, who embraced the Pope in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2015.

Watch this little girl defy security guards and get a hug from the Pope

Sep 24, 2015

Sophie Cruz travelled from Los Angeles, across the United States, with her father and two uncles to try to hand... Read more

An impromptu memorial honoring Kate Steinle at Pier 14 in San Francisco.

Archbishop after death of Calif. woman: Immigrants are not all 'guilty by association'

Jul 23, 2015

The random killing of a 32 year-old California woman has reignited an intense debate about immigration reform, after the suspect... Read more

Families meet through border fence.

When detention denies dignity: bishops offer look inside US migrant, refugee policy

May 14, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

“Please help us, please pray for us.” These were the words of detained migrants and refugees at a Karnes, Texas... Read more

Crowds turned up for a town hall meeting in Los Angeles at which Archbishop Jose Gomez spoke on immigration reform, Jan. 14, 2014. Courtesy of Victor Aleman/vida-nueva.com.

US bishops: Stop shameful detention of migrant families

Mar 31, 2015

Family detention centers across the U.S. are filling up with children and young mothers  who are seeking shelter from violence,... Read more

About 100 people gather to rally in support of President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration policy across from the White House Nov. 21, 2014.

Catholics on immigration order: more reform needed

Nov 21, 2014

President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration was met with both praise and concern from Catholic groups, who emphasized that... Read more

A child on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border watches the 'Mass on the Border' in Nogales, Arizona, April 1, 2014.

US cardinal to the undocumented: you can 'come out of the shadows'

Nov 21, 2014

By Elise Harris

The vice president of the U.S. bishops’ conference has said that charitable immigration reform must address the needs of both... Read more

A child on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border watches the 'Mass on the Border' in Nogales, Arizona, April 1, 2014.

Pro-life? Then keep immigrant families together, bishops implore

Nov 14, 2014

By Matt Hadro

In the wake of the mid-term elections last week, the U.S. Bishops urged Congress and President Obama to work together... Read more

Immigration judges: Deporting children can be a death sentence

Sep 5, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Many U.S. immigration cases are effectively life-or-death trials, and the Justice Department should not be fast-tracking deportation hearings for child... Read more

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.

US must adapt foreign policy to solve migrant crisis, says bishop

Jul 27, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The head of the U.S. bishops’ international justice and peace committee implored Secretary of State John Kerry to utilize U.S.... Read more

Crowds turned up for a town hall meeting in Los Angeles at which Archbishop Jose Gomez spoke on immigration reform, Jan. 14, 2014. Courtesy of Victor Aleman/vida-nueva.com.

Archbishop: government frustrates pastoral care for child migrants

Jul 11, 2014

U.S. authorities are working poorly with Catholic efforts to provide pastoral care to underage immigrants detained near Los Angeles, the... Read more

U.S. Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro.

Bishop cites teaching of Popes in push to protect migrant kids

Jun 27, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, invoked the social teaching of multiple popes in a plea for Congress to... Read more

Children among the crowd who turned out for a town hall meeting in Los Angeles at which Archbishop Jose Gomez spoke on immigration, Jan. 14, 2014. Courtesy of Victor Aleman/vida-nueva.com.

Child migrants may be refugees seeking asylum, experts say

Jun 19, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Two migration experts have said that many unaccompanied child immigrants to the U.S. from Mexico and Central America could qualify... Read more

U.S. Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro.

Bishops: surge in unaccompanied child migrants a 'crisis'

Jun 6, 2014

The migration of unaccompanied children into the U.S. is a “humanitarian crisis” that demands a “comprehensive response” from the government,... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle. Courtesy of Seattle Archdiocese.

US bishop: Broken laws – not immigrants – must change

May 29, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

The desperation of many immigrants who have no choice but to break existing U.S. laws shows the need for comprehensive... Read more

Cardinal Seán O’Malley.

Cardinal O'Malley: reject indifference toward immigrants

May 14, 2014

Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston called for a greater awareness of the situation faced by many immigrants to the U.S.,... Read more

Jersey Vargas (bottom center) meets Pope Francis after the General Audience at St. Peter's Square, March 26, 2014.

After meeting Pope, daughter of immigrants reunites with father

Apr 4, 2014

The young girl who asked Pope Francis to intercede with U.S. President Barack Obama on behalf of the children of... Read more

Cardinal Sean O'Malley concelebrates Mass on the US-Mexico border, April 1, 2014.

Bishops say Mass at border fence to remember dead migrants

Apr 1, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

A group of U.S. bishops visited the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday to say Mass in remembrance of migrants who died during... Read more