The discussion surrounding immigration, border control, and refugee resettlement continues to be a significant issue across the United States, especially among U.S. Catholics who hold a diverse range of views on the matter.
Various policymakers, theologians, and Catholic aid organizations have shared their thoughts on this sensitive topic, offering insights into how the Church approaches this ongoing issue.
Recently, Catholic Charities and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) USA have advocated for the restoration of funding for programs aimed at assisting migrants and refugees, particularly following the Trump administration’s funding cuts.
The Impact of Funding Cuts on Catholic Aid Organizations
Catholic Charities and JRS USA, among other Catholic aid groups, have been vocal in their criticism of the Trump administration’s decision to freeze over $18 million in federal funding for JRS USA.
This freeze, which lasted for 90 days, affected vital services provided to refugees and migrants, prompting these organizations to call for the restoration of funds.
Some Catholic Charities across the country were forced to shut down programs aimed at supporting refugees, further intensifying the debate around U.S. refugee policies.
During a JRS USA-sponsored conference held last month, Kevin Appleby, the former director of migration policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), spoke on the divide between the Church and the administration.
He emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue, noting that while the Church must engage with the current administration, they should seek areas of common ground, such as combating human trafficking, to advance the welfare of refugees.
Cardinal McElroy’s Call for Compassion and Change
At the same conference, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., shared his thoughts on the moral responsibility of the Church regarding migrants and refugees.
Drawing parallels between the plight of migrants and the parable of the Good Samaritan, McElroy reminded attendees of Jesus’ call to be attentive to the suffering around us and to take action.
He strongly criticized the Trump administration’s foreign aid suspension, calling it “unconscionable” and a form of “moral theft” from the world’s most vulnerable.
While acknowledging the need for border control, McElroy urged for legislation that prioritizes “generous asylum and refugee policies.”
Theological Perspectives on Immigration
The issue of immigration has also garnered attention from theologians, with St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas being invoked in recent debates.
Vice President JD Vance cited the concept of “ordo amoris” (the order of love) in relation to immigration, suggesting that individuals’ compassion should prioritize their families and fellow citizens first, before extending love to the broader global community.
This perspective sparked a response from Pope Francis, who clarified that Christian love is not an expanding circle, but rather a call to embrace all people without restrictions based on proximity.
Father Thomas Petri, OP, president of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, also weighed in on the theological aspects of immigration.
Petri noted that while Aquinas didn’t directly address modern concerns about immigration, his writings on welcoming strangers provide valuable insight.
Aquinas emphasized that foreigners, especially those temporarily residing in a place, should be welcomed.
However, when it came to granting citizenship, Aquinas believed that newcomers must demonstrate a deep understanding of and commitment to the common good of society.
The Criticism of Refugee Resettlement Programs
Not all perspectives align with the U.S. bishops’ advocacy for refugee resettlement. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), has been outspoken in his criticism of the current refugee system.
According to Krikorian, the costs associated with resettling refugees in the U.S. are disproportionately high compared to the humanitarian aid that could be provided to refugees abroad.
He suggests that resources would be better spent protecting refugees in their initial countries of asylum, where assistance is more cost-effective.
While Krikorian acknowledges the importance of human dignity, he argues that the moral debate surrounding refugee resettlement is more complex than just allocating resources.
He believes the focus should be on improving refugee protection abroad rather than continuing costly resettlement programs in the U.S.
A Catholic Perspective on Immigration and Border Control
Chad Pecknold, an associate professor of systematic theology at The Catholic University of America, emphasized the importance of taking a “longer view” on Catholic teaching about immigration.
He warned that Catholic teachings do not support open borders or illegal migration and pointed out that the U.S. bishops’ views on immigration may reflect the influence of external humanitarian organizations rather than Church doctrine.
Pecknold also referenced Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings in Deus Caritas Est, which cautioned against the Church becoming too reliant on governmental aid while highlighting the importance of charity that goes beyond government programs.
In response to the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration, multiple U.S. bishops have called for a shift in policy, urging for more compassionate and just treatment of migrants.
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, described the administration’s mass deportation efforts as a direct attack on human community, aligning this position with Catholic social teachings on human dignity.
Balancing Mercy and Justice
Finally, Pecknold reflected on the balance between mercy and justice in addressing the migration crisis.
Referencing Pope Pius XII’s encyclical on migration, Excul Familia Nazarethana, he noted that the Catholic Church has consistently prioritized the protection of the family unit in its approach to migration.
While the Church advocates for mercy toward migrant families, it also recognizes the importance of respecting just laws of nations.
For over two millennia, the Catholic Church has played a guiding role in shaping discussions on societal issues like immigration.
Rather than acting as social activists, the Church has encouraged leaders to reconcile justice and mercy in their decision-making processes, respecting the rights of both individuals and nations.
This ongoing debate about immigration, border control, and refugee resettlement is not only a political issue but also a deeply moral one, shaped by religious teachings and the ethical considerations surrounding human dignity and compassion.
Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau.
She has been published by CatholicVote and has also worked as a foreign language assistant in France. She is a graduate of Benedictine College.