A New Jersey diocese and several priests are suing the federal government over a rule change in religious worker visas, in a case that highlights the perfect storm created by the nation’s shifting immigration policies and the Catholic Church in the United States’ increased reliance on foreign-born clergy amid a downward trend of domestic vocations to the priesthood.
Immigration and Migration
UK Catholics voice ‘shock and concern’ at new outbreak of nationwide disorder
Prominent Catholics have joined church leaders in condemning a wave of riots across the United Kingdom, while also urging greater understanding of current social grievances.
The Christ you encounter
The same Jesus who meets us in Scripture and at Mass meets us at the border. If we can’t see him in those desperate people, how do we face him in the Eucharist?
Speaker: Mexico City is ‘another border,’ government has ‘no will’ to address migration crisis
At an international and interdisciplinary conference on migration held July 3-9 in Mexico City, human rights activist Josephine Sister María Magdalena Silva Rentería denounced the government’s lack of interest in addressing the migration crisis.
Catholic advocates ‘deeply troubled’ by alleged abuse of migrant kids in US-funded shelters
Catholic immigration and anti-trafficking advocates are expressing grave concern over alleged systemic sexual abuse of unaccompanied migrant children by staff of a private contractor for the U.S. government.
Texas AG appeals after state judge rejects effort to shut down Catholic border ministry
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a direct appeal July 15 to the Texas Supreme Court seeking to revive his effort to shut down Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, a Catholic nonprofit serving migrants, after a state judge earlier the same month dismissed his lawsuit.
With church’s help, Afghan’s first female fighter pilot and family settling into new life in U.S.
At age 33, Hasina Omari has survived familial disapproval of her career choices (becoming Afghanistan’s first female fighter pilot), nearly 370 flight hours of night and weekend missions, and expecting a baby while escaping the Taliban’s takeover of her home country.
Do you commemorate or observe an anniversary? It depends on the event
The anniversary of the 1924 Immigration Act should be commemorated as a blot on our immigration history, not a milestone to be observed.
La. governor cuts $1 million to Catholic Charities homeless shelter over church’s care for migrants
Drastic cuts in state funding for a Catholic Charities’ homeless shelter operations in Louisiana over the wider Catholic Church’s ministry to migrants have dealt a significant blow to the church’s ability to care for area residents experiencing homelessness, including veterans.
Critics express skepticism over U.S.-Panama deportation agreement
Catholic groups working with migrants traversing the treacherous Darién Gap have expressed skepticism over a joint U.S.-Panama plan to deport people passing through the thick jungle between Colombia and Panama on journeys toward the U.S. border.
Judge says effort to shut down Catholic ministry to migrants violates Texas’ religious freedom act
A state judge July 2 denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, a Catholic nonprofit serving migrants.
Church-run school in Jordan for Iraqi refugee children educates, saves lives
Father Khalil Ja’ar, pastor at Mary Mother of the Church, who runs the school, aids Iraqi Christians who escaped from Islamic State militants to neighboring Jordan.