Immigration

The Latest

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

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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

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, California.

Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis confirms sending migrants to Catholic Charities in California

Jun 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Amid criticism and calls for investigation into “kidnapping,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said the migrants’ travels were “voluntary.” Read more

Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States stand in line to be 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.

What is Title 42, why are the bishops against it, and what will happen next?

May 10, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Title 42 of a 1944 public health law to curb the inflow of migrants into the U.S. during the height... Read more

Key Catholic leaders ministering to migrants at the border pose for a photograph with President Joe Biden Jan. 8, 2023. Left to right: Bishop Seitz of El Paso, Texas; Sister Norma Pimental of Brownsville, Texas; and Ruben Garcia, director of migrant shelter Annunciation House.

U.S. bishops condemn ‘Secure the Border Act of 2023’

May 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso issued an open letter to Congress on May 5, strongly condemning the Secure the... Read more

Migrants in Mexico

Miami archbishop says Florida immigration bill criminalizes ‘empathy’ toward the undocumented

Apr 14, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A representative of all eight of Florida’s bishops testified against the bill last month, saying that such a law would... Read more

Honduran family in front of their adobe house near Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

How immigration is hurting Honduran families — and what CRS is doing to limit it

Apr 6, 2023

By Diego López Marina

One Catholic says migration is not a situation that occurs because someone “really wants it” but mainly “because of the... Read more

Migrants, mostly of Venezuelan origin, attempt to forcibly cross into the United States at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on March 12, 2023.

Texas lawmakers propose making illegal immigration a felony

Mar 16, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The “Border Protection Unit Act” would create a specialized border protection police force and make illegal immigration a state felony. Read more

Venezuelan immigrants arrive to the U.S.-Mexico border to try to cross into the United States on Jan. 8, 2023, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Catholic leaders at border criticize Biden’s immigration crackdown

Feb 22, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Referred to by some as a “transit ban,” the new policy automatically denies asylum to migrants who cross the border... Read more

Bishop Seitz welcomes President Biden at the El Paso airport as he begins his first trip to the border as president Jan. 8, 2023.

El Paso bishop meets with Biden, warns of ‘suffering’ to result from new immigration policy

Jan 9, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Bishop Mark Seitz handed President Joe Biden a a Sacred Heart holy card on which a migrant child on the... Read more

U.S. President Joe Biden

Biden announces crackdown on illegal immigration ahead of visit to El Paso

Jan 6, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

“Do not just show up at the border. Stay where you are and apply legally from there,” the president said. Read more