Archbishop John C. Wester expressed deep concern over House Speaker Mike Johnson's defense of mass deportations using Scripture. Johnson defended mass deportations by arguing that the biblical command to welcome the stranger applies to individuals, not civil authorities. The Archbishop stated that Catholic teaching mandates all policies uphold the inherent dignity of migrants, regardless of border regulation. Johnson cited biblical passages, including Romans 13, to support the divine right of civil authorities to establish immigration laws and maintain borders. The debate stems from Pope Leo XIV's criticism of mass deportations, referencing Jesus' teaching on welcoming strangers (Matthew 25:35).
26 days ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended President Trump's mass deportation plans biblically on February 3, 2026, responding to Pope Leo XIV's criticism.1 2
The Pope cited Matthew 25:35, emphasizing welcoming the stranger as a path to the kingdom of God.1 2
Johnson, a Southern Baptist, argued that welcoming the sojourner applies to individuals, not civil authorities.1 2
He cited Romans 13, affirming governments' divine right to enforce laws, maintain borders, and ensure order.1 2
Borders and walls are "biblical," he said, protecting citizens inside while expecting immigrants to assimilate.1 2
On February 6, Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe called Johnson's use of Scripture "deeply concerning," accusing it of diminishing human dignity.1 2
Wester stressed that border regulation is not absolute and must prioritize justice, mercy, and the vulnerable.1 2
Catholic doctrine acknowledges nations' rights to control borders for the common good but obligates prosperous countries to welcome foreigners as able.1 2
Policies must reflect every person's dignity; immigrants must respect host laws.1 2
The USCCB voted 216-5 in November 2025 against "indiscriminate mass deportation."1 2
A November 2025 EWTN poll showed 54% of Catholics support broad-scale deportations, with 30% opposed.1 2
Evaluate Catholic doctrine on migration versus scripture used in policy
Catholic doctrine on migration affirms both the scriptural imperative to welcome the stranger and the biblical mandate to respect governing authorities, presenting a balanced approach rather than opposition between the two. Drawing from Scripture like Matthew 25:35—"for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me"—and Romans 13, which calls believers to "be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God", Church teaching integrates compassion for migrants with recognition of national sovereignty. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consistently articulates this equilibrium, rejecting "open borders" while advocating humane reforms that uphold human dignity. This evaluation reveals no inherent conflict; instead, doctrine synthesizes these scriptural elements into a cohesive framework for policy.
Scripture often invoked in migration policy debates includes Romans 13, which underscores the divine origin of authority: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad". This passage, echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1899), teaches that "the authority required by the moral order derives from God", implying nations' legitimate right to enforce laws, including border security. St. Robert Bellarmine further interprets this as applying to all powers, secular and ecclesiastical, mandating submission "not only to avoid God's wrath but for the sake of conscience".
Conversely, Matthew 25:35 grounds the duty to aid migrants in Christ's identification with the vulnerable, a theme central to Catholic mercy. Yet policy discussions sometimes pit this "welcome the stranger" ethic against Romans 13, portraying strict enforcement as obedience to God and unrestricted entry as defiance. Catholic doctrine rejects this false dichotomy, as USCCB statements clarify: countries "have the right to take measures against irregular immigration, with due respect for the human rights of all".
USCCB documents explicitly harmonize these scriptures. In legislative priorities, bishops affirm "the natural right to migrate, balanced with the right of countries to maintain their borders", urging "critical infrastructure to meet [humanitarian] needs and provide orderly and reliable processing" alongside expanded legal pathways. This mirrors Strangers No Longer and Justice for Immigrants campaigns, which support comprehensive reform without endorsing enforcement-only approaches.
On Dreamers and families, the USCCB calls for citizenship paths while cautioning against measures that "jeopardize the sanctity of families or unaccompanied children," insisting border security be "proportional and humanely implemented". Archbishop Gabriele Caccia reinforces this by rooting human rights in inherent dignity—"all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights"—applicable to migrants yet serving the common good, not ideological agendas.
Far from "versus," doctrine views Romans 13 as permitting border control (e.g., supporting bills like the 2013 Border Security Act with legalization balances) while Matthew 25 demands charity within legal bounds. The Church opposes punitive policies undermining family unity or due process, aligning authority's "sword" with justice, not cruelty.
Controversies arise when scripture is selectively cited. Romans 13 is sometimes wielded to justify deterrence without reform, ignoring Catholic caveats against "disproportionate emphasis on punitive sanctions". Conversely, Matthew 25 alone might suggest unchecked welcome, but doctrine counters with sovereignty: no "blanket policy of opposing all measures designed to increase border security". Recent USCCB priorities prioritize root causes, asylum access, and integration, consistent with newer teachings superseding older if conflicting—though here, harmony prevails.
Bellarmine's exegesis and CCC affirm authorities execute "wrath on the wrongdoer", yet love fulfills the law, binding both. Thus, policy must promote common good: legal immigration, family unity, and security.
Catholic doctrine on migration resolves scriptural tensions through balance—welcoming per Matthew 25 within authority's framework from Romans 13. USCCB advocacy for reform embodies this, urging humane policies faithful to both mercy and order. This integrated vision guides Catholics: support borders justly enforced, migrants charitably served.