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 reality is that our current system is immoral. While many may condemn the presence of the undocumented in our land, we willingly accept their hard labor, their contributions to our economy, and their cultural and religious spirit which enriches our local communities. While we accept these contributions, we do so at the expense of the human beings who come here not to harm us but to help us. They are often ridiculed, exploited, and abused. This must stop, and this immoral system must be changed.
Bishop DiMarzio
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
Immigrant rights must be respected – even in cases of non-legal immigration.
Pope John Paul II
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 a right to find opportunities in their homeland.
Persons have the rights to migrate to support themselves and their families.
Sovereign nations have the right to secure their borders.
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
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