Education

The Catholic Church has a longstanding tradition of welcoming the stranger and caring for the vulnerable. When it comes to immigration, the Church’s position has not wavered in recognizing people’s rights to migrate, alongside a country’s responsibility to protect its borders, and continues to insist that these realities be met with compassion, always upholding human dignity. We encourage the Catholic faithful to learn more about the Church’s rich teaching on immigration, including at this particular time in history.

“Together may we be pilgrims of hope in these challenging times, a voice for the silenced and a refuge for the vulnerable.” – Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C.

Bishop Patrick Neary shares a letter on immigration and the Church with the faithful of the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

Bishop Neary’s Letter
Carta del Obispo

WATCH THE VIDEO MESSAGE FROM BISHOP NEARY >>

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office of Migration and Refugee Services works with immigrant and refugees as an official resettlement agency of the United States. Through the pastoral and legal experience of these resettlement efforts, they offer valuable resources regarding the Church’s legacy of welcoming and justice-seeking around immigration, rooted in the Scriptures and upheld in the rich tradition of the Catholic social teachings.

Learn more about Migration and Catholic Teaching

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

There is often misunderstanding regarding what the Catholic Church does and promotes regarding ministries to immigrants and refugees. Learn the truth with these Frequently Asked Questions and responses: https://www.usccb.org/migrationministries
For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been consistent and steadfast in their calls for a just reform of the nation’s immigration system. Learn about Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration/catholic-elements-immigration-reform
Migration, with its complex and multifaceted nature, demands our attention and calls for a nuanced understanding. Learn more about Catholic Responses to specific troubling areas in migration: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration/catholic-responses-problem-areas-migration
Learn more about the Church’s longstanding teaching on migration through the decades: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/migrants-refugees-and-travelers/quotes-rights-migrants-refugees

Justice for Immigrants is a ministry of the US Catholic Bishops that invites the faithful into engaged learning, prayer and action around issues of immigration in the U.S. by providing resources from Papal teachings on migration, to resources to celebrate National Migration Week, to action alert sign-up’s.

Visit the USCCB Justice for Immigrants website: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/

We call upon all people of goodwill, to welcome the newcomers in their neighborhoods and schools, in their places of work and worship, with heartfelt hospitality, openness, and eagerness both to help and to learn from our brothers and sisters of whatever religion, ethnicity, or background.” (Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, 2000)

Read the US Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, “Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity.”: https://www.usccb.org/committees/pastoral-care-migrants-refugees-travelers/welcoming-stranger-among-us-unity-diversity
Dive deeper into “Welcoming the Stranger” with this resource guide and additional information for parishes or groups: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/catholic-teaching-on-immigration-and-the-movement-of-peoples
Read the 2003 joint pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the U.S., “Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope” with this link: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/strangers-no-longer-together-on-the-journey-of-hope

For the Catholic Charities USA Migration Network: please add this introductory few lines above what you’ve got: In 2024, the 168 independent Catholic Charities agencies across the United States served more than 16 million people in need. Learn more about several Frequently Asked Questions regarding their work with migrants and the Gospel imperative behind their service.

https://stories.catholiccharitiesusa.org/and_they_shall_know_us_by_our_love/index.html

This Moment in History

As the needs of immigrants and the reality of our nation continues to change, Church leaders from various places have spoken on immigration and calling for the response of the Church and elected officials at this particular moment in our history.

Pope Francis’s Letter to the US Church, February 10, 2025 (English)
Pope Francis’s Letter to the US Church, February 10, 2025 (Spanish)
Statement from Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/executive-actions-will-subject-vulnerable-families-and-children-grave-danger-says-bishop
Statement from the Minnesota Catholic Conference of Bishops (PDF)

Justice and Mercy: Bishops across the United States articulate Catholic Church teaching on migration, read more >Justice and Mercy: Bishops across the United States articulate Catholic Church teaching on migration, read more >

The Catholic Church is committed to defending the sanctity of every human life and the God-given dignity of each person, regardless of nationality or immigration status.