Hours after a July 6 prayer vigil that Bishop Dennis G. Walsh of Davenport, Iowa, led for immigrant construction worker Pascual Pedro Pedro, Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities deported the 20-year-old West Liberty, Iowa, parishioner to Guatemala, his homeland.
Immigration and Migration
Miami clergy raise concerns as Trump tours Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
Most Americans agree on the need for good U.S. border security, but to hear politicians and civil authorities hurl insults and jokes at the expense of migrants as Florida opened its new “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades “is sinful.”
Faith-based refugee centers in Rome provide a lifeline to newcomers
At a time when the fate of refugees and migrants is becoming increasingly uncertain, faith-based organizations in Rome say they are putting into practice their Christian values of protection and respect of human life to aid those seeking help.
USCCB, Catholic Charities among 200 NGOs in House probe on migrant aid
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA are among more than 200 non-governmental organizations named in a congressional probe for aiding immigrants its leaders call “inadmissible aliens” during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Amid unrest in LA over ICE raids, faithful urged to pray for peace in streets, city
Amid ongoing unrest in Los Angeles over immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “we bring our cares and anxieties to Jesus today, and to his Mother, Our Lady of the Angels,” Archbishop Jose´ H. Gomez said June 11.
As chaotic demonstrations erupt across U.S., Catholic experts counsel nonviolence
It’s an important precept of Catholic citizenship: Ethical disagreement with public policy — and a desire to peacefully change it — is a worthy undertaking.
Mexican bishops express solidarity with migrants amid protests in U.S. cities
The Mexican bishops’ conference expressed solidarity with migrants “suffering persecution and violence” in the United States amid protests roiling Los Angeles.
L.A. archbishop calls for prayer, restraint, immigration law reform amid ICE protests
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles is calling for prayer, while urging “restraint and calm” as clashes have broken out in that city over recent immigration arrests. President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard amid pushback from California officials and is threatening to mobilize Marines.
Asking for human life and dignity protections in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
Congress could make this “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” less expensive, more advantageous economically and beneficial to the entire community by removing the increased spending on the enforcement-only approach to immigration and moving the bill forward with a stay on deportations of non-criminal immigrants.
N.J. diocese hopes proposed law will resolve religious worker visa problems
The Diocese of Paterson, N.J., and several of its foreign-born priests are hoping proposed legislation will resolve their lawsuit regarding religious worker visas.
Expectant mom seeking political asylum in U.S. urges protection of birthright citizenship
An asylum-seeker in the U.S. from Cuba told OSV News that she is spending the final part of her pregnancy on bedrest amid anxiety about her unborn child’s future due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that would bar her child from U.S. citizenship.
Anxiety, uncertainty follow Trump travel ban
A ban by President Donald Trump that fully or partly restricts travel to the U.S. by nationals from several countries has prompted anxiety and uncertainty among Catholic immigration advocates — and for one priest, the ban means he won’t be able to see his family for the foreseeable future.