Protecting Immigrant Families and Communities from Detention and Deportation
“To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf.1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!”
Special Pastoral Message on Immigration, U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops – November 12, 2025
Standing with immigrant families
Immigrant families and communities are facing the growing threat of detention, deportation, and family separation. Our growing network of Catholic leaders, communities, and organizations is coming together to respond with courage, compassion, and organized action.
In the recently published report issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Evangelical Association, One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families, the significant impact of the Administration’s enforcement efforts could have on Catholic communities in the United States is made clear: nearly one out of five Catholics are vulnerable to deportation or could lose at least one family member if the United States government were to deport all those vulnerable to deportation without any change in law.
Why this matters
Our Catholic faith calls us to uphold the dignity of every person, protect the unity of families, and welcome the stranger.
When our immigrant neighbors live in fear, the Church is called to accompany them, defend their dignity, and make visible the love of Christ.
In the 2026 Religious Liberty Annual Report, the US bishops identified among the areas of critical concern for religious liberty to include lack of access to sacraments for ICE detainees and immigration enforcement at houses of worship. Contrary to ICE’s own standards, “consistent access to immigration detention facilities for the purpose of providing religious and pastoral services to detainees has been a challenge.”
In November 2025, a rarely issued Special Message was put forth by the bishops of the United States, expressing deep pastoral concern for immigrants and for the climate of fear, division, and uncertainty surrounding immigration in the nation today. They lament family separations, harsh detention conditions, threats to sacred and humanitarian spaces, and rhetoric that dehumanizes migrants. “The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) …The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).”
How we’re responding together
Across the country, Catholic leaders and local organizations are:
Organizing public witness rooted in prayer and Catholic social teaching
Accompanying immigrants to court appointments
Caring for families affected by detention or deportation
Working to close existing detention centers and prevent new ones
Safeguarding religious liberty by ensuring that people in detention have access to the sacraments and pastoral care
Together, we support these locally led efforts through formation, organizing, communications, and national coordination.
Take part
Whether you are already engaged or looking for a place to begin, you can help build a stronger Catholic response.
Connect with Catholics in Communion and learn about opportunities to participate.