Church Teaching
The Bible has an overall emphasis on hospitality toward strangers, aliens and migrants. Some examples of migrants in Scripture include: Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Moses & the Israelites, Ruth, Joseph & Mary with Jesus.
The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of security and the means of livelihood which he or she cannot find in his or her country of origin.
The Catholic Catechism
Institutions in host countries must keep careful watch to prevent the spread of the temptation to exploit foreign laborers, denying them the same rights enjoyed by nationals, rights that are to be guaranteed to all without discrimination…Immigrants are to be received as persons and helped, together with their families, to become part of societal life. In this context, the right of reuniting families should be respected and promoted.
Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Church
“Where is your brother? His blood cries out to me, says the Lord.” This is not a question directed to others; it is a question directed to me, to you, to each of us. These brothers and sisters of ours are trying to escape difficult situations to find some serenity and peace; they are looking for a better place for themselves and their families.
Pope Francis
Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families.
Refugees and asylum seekers (those people fleeing in fear of their lives) should be afforded protection.
The human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected.
US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Episcopal Conference of Mexican Bishops
To be especially lamented is the condition of so many millions of refugees, and of every group of people suffering persecution sometimes in institutionalized form for racial or ethnic origin or tribal grounds. This persecution on tribal grounds can at times take on the characteristics of genocide.
Pope Francis
Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity.
Pope Francis
Click on the links below for more information regarding Church teaching on the rights of migrants and refugees: