Catholic clergy members are protesting against deportations of immigrants. The clergy are advocating for more humane immigration policies. The protests are taking place in response to ongoing deportation practices. The Catholic Church is showing solidarity with immigrant communities facing deportation.
15 days ago
Catholic clergy across the United States are actively demonstrating support and solidarity for immigrants facing deportations, with actions reported from Detroit to California and Florida 1, 2. These efforts include granting dispensations from Sunday Mass obligations for those fearing arrest, attending peaceful marches, and directly engaging with immigration authorities 1, 2.
In Detroit, Father David Buersmeyer, ombudsman for the Office of the Archbishop, delivered a letter to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detroit field office, raising concerns about increased confrontational and non-transparent enforcement operations 1, 2. The letter, signed by Buersmeyer and Judith Brooks of the advocacy group Strangers No Longer, urged ICE to enforce identification requirements, ban facemasks for agents, act only with federal warrants, and communicate with local police 1, 2. It also criticized family separation during arrests, though the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE offers mothers choices regarding their children's placement 1, 2. Despite ICE refusing the letter at the door, it was forwarded to a congressman and senator for delivery 1, 2.
Similar concerns about agent identification and masking have been raised by the Michigan attorney general and other state attorneys general, alongside federal Democratic legislators who proposed a bill to mandate clearer identification for immigration officers 1, 2. Conversely, DHS has reported a significant increase in assaults and doxxing of ICE agents, attributing some of this to "charged" media rhetoric 1, 2.
In Los Angeles, Father Brendan Busse noted that intensified ICE activity has caused deep anxiety among his predominantly Hispanic parishioners, leading some to fear attending Mass 1, 2. He participated in a peaceful gathering and procession with other faith leaders, including Archbishop José Gomez, to bring a spirit of peace to tense situations 1, 2. The Diocese of San Bernardino also granted Mass attendance dispensations due to ICE activity, following instances of agents entering parish property and arresting a landscaper 1, 2.
In Florida, concerns have mounted over a new detention facility in the Everglades, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," due to its remote location and dangerous wildlife surroundings 1, 2. Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice criticized public officials for speaking of the alligator threat in the context of detained immigrants, calling it "unbecoming" 1, 2. Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski expressed primary concern for the health and care of detainees in the isolated, hot swamp location, emphasizing the need for minimum standards and access to pastoral care 1, 2. He highlighted the difficulty of arranging spiritual services, noting a dispute between state and federal governments over accountability for the facility 1, 2.
The clergy's actions are rooted in Catholic social teaching and a desire for solidarity with affected communities 1, 2. They aim to foster dialogue about national policies that can provide a more just and less reactive framework for immigration cases 1, 2. Archbishop Wenski also stressed the distinction between immigrants and those who commit violent crimes, noting that the vast majority of immigrants are working honestly to build a future for their families 1, 2.
What is the Church's teaching on human dignity and migration?
The Catholic Church teaches that every human being possesses inherent dignity from conception until natural death, being created in the image and likeness of God , , , , , . This dignity is not earned but is an intrinsic quality of being human, making each person an end in themselves, never merely an instrument . This fundamental principle underpins the Church's approach to all human life and social issues, including migration , , .
The Church's social tradition is built upon the conviction that every person, regardless of age, condition, or ability, is an image of God and thus endowed with an irreducible dignity or value . This dignity is an ontological quality, meaning it is a constitutive part of the human being that endures through every moment of life, from conception until natural death, and is fulfilled in eternal life . Consequently, every human person should be recognized and respected in any condition of health, infirmity, or disability . The Church emphasizes that this dignity is God-given and cannot be lost, forfeited, or justly taken away .
The Church views migration through the lens of human dignity and the common good. It recognizes the natural right of individuals to move freely within their own nation and from one nation to another, while also acknowledging the right and responsibility of nations to control their borders for the sake of the common good , , . However, this right of nations is not unlimited and must always be balanced with the duty to welcome newcomers with charity and respect for the human person .
Key Principles and Teachings on Migration:
In essence, the Church's teaching on human dignity and migration is a call to recognize the inherent worth of every individual, created in God's image, and to respond with charity, justice, and solidarity to those who are compelled to leave their homes in search of a better life or safety , , .