The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is calling on the U.S. government to reform its immigration system, advocating for “fair and humane treatment” of immigrants. In a statement issued on November 15, the bishops emphasized the need for compassionate policies that respect the dignity of immigrants, echoing the words of the Statue of Liberty’s inscription: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
The statement was signed by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, USCCB president, along with Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, and Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, California. Broglio, Seitz, and Soto stressed the importance of meaningful reform to create an immigration system that serves the country’s moral and practical needs.
“We hope and pray that we can work together for a reform that provides fair and humane treatment for all immigrants,” the bishops wrote.
The bishops called for policies that both protect U.S. borders and create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for years. They also highlighted the need for a secure border and measures to address criminal activity, such as reducing gang violence, curbing drug trafficking, and stopping human trafficking.
“Our country deserves an immigration system that provides fair and generous pathways to citizenship,” the bishops stated. They also emphasized the need for protections for childhood arrivals, family unity, and a robust asylum system for those fleeing persecution.
The bishops also made clear that any immigration reform should focus on protecting vulnerable migrants and their families from exploitation by criminal actors. “We must protect vulnerable migrants and families, many of whom have already been victims of crime,” they said.
Reflecting on the nation’s history, the bishops reminded the public that immigrants have long been essential to the country’s prosperity, contributing to vital sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and service industries. “From the founding of our nation, immigrants have been crucial to its growth,” they said. “They come as strangers but, through their work and perseverance, they become Americans.”
The USCCB’s call for reform comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Trump campaigned on a platform focused on stricter immigration enforcement and mass deportations. He has signaled that his administration will prioritize the deportation of individuals who have committed crimes after entering the country illegally.
Tom Homan, appointed by Trump as his border czar, has stated that his team will focus on removing those who pose a public safety or national security threat. Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), emphasized that criminal aliens, gang members, and individuals with final orders of removal will be the focus of enforcement efforts.
“We will prioritize public safety and national security threats first,” Homan said in an interview with Fox News. He added, “If you’re in the country illegally, you shouldn’t feel comfortable. If you’re here illegally, you are a criminal, and you are not off the table.”
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