What does the Catholic Church teach about immigration?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin." ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2241
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7W.HTM
St. Pope John Paul II stated: "The Church in America must be a vigilant advocate, defending against any unjust restriction the natural right of individual persons to move freely within their own nation and from one nation to another. Attention must be called to the rights of migrants and their families and to respect for their human dignity, even in cases of non-legal immigration." ~ St. Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America (Apostolic Exhortation), Paragraph 65
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement on June 16, 2025 in regards to immigration, which is highlighted below.
"When he spoke to the young people of Chicago this past weekend, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that at the heart of the Christian faith is an invitation to share in the communion of life and love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the first community and based completely on love. The Holy Father also challenged us to be a sign of hope by making the world a better place. Considering Pope Leo’s message, no one can turn a deaf ear to the palpable cries of anxiety and fear heard in communities throughout the country in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement actions. Law enforcement actions aimed at preserving order and ensuring community security are necessary for the common good. However, the current efforts go well beyond those with criminal histories. In the context of a gravely deficient immigration system, the mass arrest and removal of our neighbors, friends and family members on the basis of immigration status alone, particularly in ways that are arbitrary or without due process, represent a profound social crisis before which no person of good will can remain silent. The situation is far from the communion of life and love to which this nation of immigrants should strive." ~Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
President of the USCCB
The full statement can be read online:
https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/count-commitment-all-us-stand-you-challenging-hour-says-archbishop-broglio
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7W.HTM
St. Pope John Paul II stated: "The Church in America must be a vigilant advocate, defending against any unjust restriction the natural right of individual persons to move freely within their own nation and from one nation to another. Attention must be called to the rights of migrants and their families and to respect for their human dignity, even in cases of non-legal immigration." ~ St. Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America (Apostolic Exhortation), Paragraph 65
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement on June 16, 2025 in regards to immigration, which is highlighted below.
"When he spoke to the young people of Chicago this past weekend, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that at the heart of the Christian faith is an invitation to share in the communion of life and love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the first community and based completely on love. The Holy Father also challenged us to be a sign of hope by making the world a better place. Considering Pope Leo’s message, no one can turn a deaf ear to the palpable cries of anxiety and fear heard in communities throughout the country in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement actions. Law enforcement actions aimed at preserving order and ensuring community security are necessary for the common good. However, the current efforts go well beyond those with criminal histories. In the context of a gravely deficient immigration system, the mass arrest and removal of our neighbors, friends and family members on the basis of immigration status alone, particularly in ways that are arbitrary or without due process, represent a profound social crisis before which no person of good will can remain silent. The situation is far from the communion of life and love to which this nation of immigrants should strive." ~Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
President of the USCCB
The full statement can be read online:
https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/count-commitment-all-us-stand-you-challenging-hour-says-archbishop-broglio