IMMIGRATION

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UPDATE: On January 21, 2025, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive rescinding, in its entirety, the 2021 Memorandum on “Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas.”1 No new related guidance has been published publicly by the Department at this time. Therefore, much of the information below is now for historical reference purposes only. Just as the prior guidance did not entirely prevent civil immigration enforcement from occurring in or near protected areas, the revocation of this guidance does not necessarily mean enforcement is now certain to occur in or near such areas. – Read Full Statement Here

The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move.  Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to “welcome the stranger among us,” for in this encounter with the immigrant, the migrant, and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ. 

Download Resources Below: 

Migration & Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Ministries Serving Migrants and Refugees

Creating a world where immigrants, refugees, and other people on the move are treated with dignity, respect, and welcome. Learn More

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese of San Francisco 

Diocese of Fresno

Diocese of Monterey 

Diocese of Oakland 

Diocese of Orange 

Diocese of Sacramento 

Diocese of San Bernardino

Diocese of San Diego 

Diocese of San Jose 

Diocese of Santa Rosa 

Diocese of Stockton

Catholic Charities of the East Bay: https://www.cceb.org/immigration-legal-services/

Catholic Charities of  Fresno: https://ccdof.org/our-services/immigration-services/

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles: https://catholiccharitiesla.org/immigration-services/ and https://www.esperanza-la.org/

Catholic Charities of Yolo/Solano: https://www.ccyoso.org/immigration-legal-services

Catholic Charities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties: https://ccsbriv.org/contact

Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego: https://ccdsd.org/immigrant-services/

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: https://www.ccscc.org/immigration-legal-services?locale=en

Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa: https://www.srcharities.org/what-we-do/immigration-legal-solutions.html

Catholic Charities of Stockton: https://www.ccstockton.org/immigration-services

Catholic Charities of San Francisco: https://catholiccharitiessf.org/center-for-immigration-legal-and-support-services/

Catholic Charities of Orange County: https://ccoc.org/programs/human-services/immigration-citizenship-services

Northern Valley Catholic Social Services: https://nvcss.org/programs/immigration-legal-services/

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services: https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/immigration

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey: https://catholiccharitiesdom.org/immigration-citizenship/

Embracing the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger, CLINIC promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs. Learn More 

The subject of immigration is politically divisive in our nation, and it has often been a point of contention throughout American history. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has long been at the forefront of efforts to welcome immigrants to the United States and promote their successful integration. Recently, these realities have collided, producing a rise in hostility from a limited number of public officials, media outlets, and private organizations toward the longstanding migration-related ministries of the Church. This resource, while not comprehensive in nature or responsive to every aspect of the immigration debate, seeks to address some common misconceptions and questions regarding the Church’s role in serving migrants and refugees, as well as the ways in which Catholic social teaching applies to these issues. It also discusses the work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in this area.  Learn More

• Border bishops and bishops responsible for ministry with migrants in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean recently issued a pastoral letter entitled “He Saw Them, He Drew Near to Them & He Cared for Them: Walking with Those Who Migrate, Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Survivors of Trafficking”. This synodal document consists of three chapters, beginning with an analysis of migration in our region (see), followed by a theological reflection (judge), and finally a proposal of pastoral actions that should be implemented regionally in order to more effectively accompany those who migrate (act). The letter was released in English, Spanish, and French.

• On February 28, the Tex-Mex Border Bishops issued a joint statement in English and Spanish as part of a biannual meeting that has been held for forty years. The statement reaffirmed the Church’s role as “a reliable partner of our governments, of our peoples and especially of all those in need, through processes to welcome, protect, promote and integrate the vulnerable, including collaboration in the resettlement of refugees to achieve their self-sufficiency.”

• On March 31, the Conference’s Department of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) joined with the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in releasing a report entitled “One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families”. The USCCB issued a press release highlighting the report.