Pope Leo has voiced his support for a recent special message issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, addressing concerns about the climate of fear and anxiety surrounding profiling and immigration enforcement. The message, backed by 216 out of 224 bishops, criticized the vilification of migrants and highlighted worries about the impact of immigration raids on communities and the lack of pastoral care for detained migrants.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Leo emphasized the importance of treating individuals with dignity and humanity, even when addressing illegal immigration in the United States. He acknowledged the flaws in the U.S. migration system and stressed the bishops’ call for respectful treatment of long-term residents, urging all Americans to heed their message.
The bishops’ statement, a departure from their previous single-issue focuses, emphasized the Catholic teaching on recognizing the fundamental dignity of all individuals, including immigrants. The video statement by several bishops further reiterated their stance.
In response, Tom Homan, appointed as a border czar by President Trump, criticized the bishops’ statement, highlighting the dangers faced by migrants attempting illegal border crossings. Disagreeing with the bishops, Homan stressed the importance of secure borders in saving lives.
The bishops emphasized the need for collaboration among people of goodwill to balance human dignity and national security. However, bipartisan efforts to pass comprehensive immigration laws granting legal status to law-abiding residents, particularly minors, have faced repeated setbacks.
According to a Pew Research Center report, the unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. has grown to around 14 million, prompting debates over policies like DACA, which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. The bishops lamented the divisive rhetoric surrounding immigration and called for a more respectful dialogue on the issue.
Leo expressed concerns about the prioritization of economics over human dignity in decision-making processes in the U.S. He has not engaged with President Trump since assuming the papacy but recently met with the governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, known for his critical stance toward the Trump administration’s immigration policies.