U.S. and Mexican Bishops
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A coalition of the US and Mexican bishops has issued a joint call for comprehensive immigration reform, urging lawmakers on both sides of the border to address systemic inadequacies amidst an ongoing migrant and refugee crisis.
The statement, released during the Tex-Mex Border Bishops meeting this week, marks the 40th year of biannual gatherings focused on border issues. The bishops' appeal comes amid a dispute with the federal government over the Church's role in aiding migrants and refugees. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently sued the Trump administration over the suspension of funding for refugee programs.
The federal government also canceled a contract with the US bishops for refugee resettlement. The bishops emphasize the Catholic Church’s commitment to vulnerable populations and stress the need for collaboration with governments to address the humanitarian challenge. Their statement reiterates the Church's dedication to promoting the common good while balancing the right to migrate with the right to security in one’s own country.
Signatories to the statement include 10 bishops from Texas, including Mark Seitz of El Paso and Daniel Flores of Brownsville, and five Mexican bishops, including those from Ciudad Juárez, Piedras Negras, Saltillo, and Matamoros-Reynosa. Highlighting the inadequacies of the US immigration system, the bishops call for urgent reforms, stating that the current system fails to reflect today's migration patterns. They urge political leaders to fulfill their duty in rectifying this situation.
The statement concludes with an appeal for divine assistance, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The call for reform aligns with broader appeals from Pope Francis and other American bishops for more generous US immigration policies. In a February 10 letter, Pope Francis urged US bishops to persist in their support for humane immigration policies, highlighting the importance of just immigration laws that uphold the dignity and rights of individuals.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, expresses gratitude for the Pope's support and requests continued prayers for the US to develop a more humane immigration system. In 2023, the USCCB allocated nearly $131 million to migration and refugee services, with the majority of funding sourced from government grants. Funding uncertainties have already led to layoffs within the bishops' office for migration and refugee services.