Chileans are preparing to elect their next president, with Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast as the main candidates. The election is taking place amidst concerns over insecurity, rising crime, and the migration crisis. Archbishop Sergio Pérez de Arce addressed the debate on immigration, criticizing the limited options proposed by some candidates. José Antonio Kast has proposed a 100-day ultimatum for illegal immigrants to leave Chile. Jeannette Jara suggests a tech-focused approach to border control, including biometric tools.
11 days ago
Chile faces a pivotal presidential runoff election following general elections, with candidates Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast set to compete to replace President Gabriel Boric on March 11, 2026.1 3
The contest unfolds against a backdrop of rising insecurity, crime, and a deepening migration crisis, drawing intense public scrutiny of the candidates' proposals.1 3
José Antonio Kast, of the Republican Party, has proposed a strict 100-day ultimatum for immigrants residing illegally in Chile, urging them to leave voluntarily or face expulsion.1 3
This measure aims to address public concerns over undocumented migrants but has sparked debate on its feasibility and humanity.1 3
Jeannette Jara, from the Communist Party and a former government official, favors a technological approach inspired by candidate Franco Parisi, including a "digital wall" with biometric controls to secure borders.1 3
She dismissed Kast's timeline as a mere "campaign stunt," emphasizing controlled entry over mass deportation.1 3
Archbishop Sergio Pérez de Arce of Concepción critiqued the binary "leave or be expelled" rhetoric in a column titled “It’s Either ‘You Leave or We Expel You’?”1 3
He argued that such policies ignore the realities of long-term migrants who contribute economically, form families, and have Chilean-born children, yet face limited regularization pathways.1 3
The archbishop highlighted the dangers of forced departure, noting closed borders in neighboring countries like Peru and ongoing crises in Venezuela, including U.S. tensions.1 3
He called for alternatives rooted in human dignity, rationality, and Gospel values, urging politicians to explore compassionate solutions beyond threats.1 3
Peru's recent military deployment along its southern border with Chile has stranded nearly 100 migrants in northern Chile, exacerbating the crisis.1 3
This development underscores the interconnected migration challenges in South America, where political instability drives flows toward Chile.1 3
The archbishop's stance reflects broader Catholic Church advocacy in Chile for humane immigration policies, aligning with calls to balance security with empathy for vulnerable populations.1 3
Investigate Catholic teachings on migration beyond expulsion
Catholic teachings on migration emphasize the inherent dignity of every human person, viewing migration not merely as a socio-political issue but as a profound human reality that echoes biblical narratives of exodus and pilgrimage. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, the Church teaches that migrants, refugees, and displaced persons deserve compassion, hospitality, and opportunities for integration, extending far beyond mere legal expulsion to encompass proactive welcome, protection of rights, and promotion of human flourishing. This perspective balances the rights of receiving communities with the urgent needs of those fleeing oppression, poverty, or violence, urging global solidarity and ethical governance. Drawing from papal encyclicals, addresses, and official statements, the Church presents migration as an opportunity for fraternity and cultural enrichment, while condemning exploitation and indifference.
The Church's understanding of migration is deeply intertwined with salvation history, where God calls people to journey toward greater freedom and promise. Migrants today mirror the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, fleeing "oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development," much like the Hebrews endured thirst, hunger, toil, disease, and despair in the desert. This biblical parallel underscores that migration is part of humanity's story, from Abraham's departure from his homeland (Gen 12:1) to the Holy Family's flight to Egypt to escape Herod's threat (Mt 2:14-15). Saint Joseph exemplifies the "persecuted and courageous migrant," reacting to fear not with aggression but with trust in God's providence, a model for facing adversities like war, hatred, or hunger.
Historically, migration has been a constant, from ancient tribal movements to modern displacements driven by food scarcity, industrial changes, and conflicts. The Catholic Encyclopedia highlights how migrations seek equilibrium between population and resources, often leading to new societies enriched by diverse elements, as seen in the formation of Europe from Germanic, Romance, and other migrations. Yet, the Church warns against romanticizing it, noting that while voluntary migration can foster progress toward multicultural societies, forced movements—due to famine, war, or persecution—demand special attention. Pope John Paul II described migration as producing "new worlds and new social phenomena," creating opportunities for dialogue and fraternity in traditionally Christian countries now hosting non-Christians. This historical lens reveals migration as a chance for the Church to exercise hospitality, turning potential challenges into avenues for evangelization and mutual enrichment.
At the core of Catholic teaching is the inviolable dignity of the migrant as a person created in God's image, deserving rights that transcend national borders. Every individual has the "right to enter a country in which he hopes to be able to provide more fittingly for himself and his dependents," imposing a duty on states to accept immigrants insofar as it aligns with the common good. This right stems from natural law and international obligations, prioritizing human life and integrity over abstract national interests.
The Church firmly upholds the principle of non-refoulement, prohibiting the return of anyone to places where their life or freedom would be threatened, including risks of death penalty, torture, or persecution. Migrants must be treated with dignity at every stage, with detention as an exception governed by clear criteria, and returns—when necessary—conducted safely, voluntarily, and with due process, especially for children whose best interests are paramount. Pope Francis critiques policies that prevent migration "at all costs" or impose austerity on poor nations, ignoring the lives at stake from war, persecution, natural disasters, or the pursuit of better opportunities for families. He also affirms the "right not to emigrate," emphasizing the need to address root causes like violence, trafficking, and cultural uprooting so that staying in one's homeland becomes viable.
Furthermore, migrants face exploitation by traffickers linked to cartels, enduring violence, abuse, and family separation, which the Church condemns as grave injustices. In responses to global forums, Catholic representatives stress that migration should be voluntary, not desperate, with access to education, jobs, and legal pathways to prevent irregular journeys and rights violations. These teachings extend to all displaced persons—refugees, asylum seekers, and economic migrants—calling for their protection as reflections of Christ the stranger (Mt 25:35).
Catholic doctrine obliges both individuals and states to welcome migrants as an act of mercy and justice. "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35) is not optional but a corporal work of mercy, urgent in an era of economic crises, conflicts, and climate change driving mass displacement. Pope Francis launches initiatives like the "Share the Journey" campaign to foster open arms, echoing the Church's colonnades as a symbol of embrace for all in the common journey. Personal stories illustrate this: a taxi driver's heart changes after hearing a refugee's tale of suffering, showing how encountering migrants' humanity transforms indifference into solidarity.
Integration is key, requiring migrants to adapt while enriching host societies culturally and economically. Pope John Paul II noted that second-generation migrants often seek to remain and integrate, turning emigration into a "chance of progress" for pluralistic, fraternal societies—if obstacles like prejudice are overcome. The four verbs guiding Church action—welcome, protect, promote, and integrate—frame this duty: not top-down aid, but shared journeys building inclusive cities that preserve identities while embracing differences. In Morocco, for instance, the Church supports migrants by recognizing them as persons, not adjectives, countering a "liquid" culture that dehumanizes.
States must balance citizens' rights with migrant assistance, fostering global governance for orderly migration, including development aid to origin countries without ideological strings. Europe, with its heritage, is called to defend human centrality amid rising populism. Ecumenically, Christians of all traditions are urged to collaborate in hospitality, witnessing God's love to vulnerable lives and advancing unity. The Church in receiving countries, through parishes and organizations like Caritas, must be "close to migrant people," promoting fraternity over walls or selfishness.
Migration's challenges—poverty, climate disasters, and conflicts—demand holistic responses beyond expulsion. The Church critiques attitudes blaming migrants for social ills, instead seeing their flight as a "natural human response" to crises rooted in the desire for a better life. Pope Francis highlights how economic downturns fuel closure and trafficking, insisting solidarity is the only solution, not barriers that exacerbate crimes.
Refugee families, often separated and facing cultural shocks, require institutional support worldwide to reflect Christ's face. The Church's apostolic concern includes refugees as part of evangelization, restoring dignity through proclamation of the Kingdom. In addresses to international bodies, Catholic voices advocate for mid- to long-term planning: safe returns when possible, regularization of status, and cooperation between nations. Ultimately, when basic needs are met, migration becomes choice, not desperation.
The Church's mission ad gentes extends to migrants, viewing them as opportunities for dialogue in multicultural contexts. Pope John Paul II envisioned migration yielding "a society culturally more rich in its diversity," open to fraternal relations. This prophetic call challenges the faithful to pray for and act toward migrants, seeing Jesus in their midst.
In conclusion, Catholic teachings on migration transcend expulsion, framing it as a testament to human dignity and divine providence. From biblical exoduses to modern pleas for welcome and integration, the Church urges solidarity: welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable, promote opportunities, and integrate with fraternity. By embodying these principles, societies and individuals fulfill Christ's command, building a world where no one is a mere number but a beloved brother or sister. This vision, drawn from encyclicals like Fratelli Tutti and Pacem in Terris, calls us to action amid today's crises, fostering hope through shared humanity.