Catholic bishops condemn administration's immigration crackdown in rare vote

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a Special Pastoral Message on immigration by a vote of 216 in favor, 5 against, and 3 abstentions on November 12, 2025 at their plenary assembly in Baltimore

Special Messages are the most urgent form of collective statement by the bishops—this was the first one issued in 12 years, signaling extraordinary alarm about immigration enforcementImmigration EnforcementGovernment actions to enforce immigration laws, including deportation, detention, border enforcement, and workplace raids.Key ConceptImmigration EnforcementGovernment actions to enforce immigration laws, including deportation, detention, border enforcement, and workplace raids.Open conceptBookmark

The message states "We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people" and calls for an end to "dehumanizing rhetoric and violence" directed at immigrants

On January 20, 2025, Trump rescinded Biden-era policy protecting sensitive locations, allowing ICE agents to arrest immigrants at churches, schools, hospitals, domestic violence shelters, and disaster sites

Pope Francis called Trump's mass deportation plans "a disgrace" on January 19, 2025, then issued a formal letter on February 11 warning the policy "will end badly" and damages migrants' dignity

Tom Homan, Trump's Border Czar, responded to the bishops by saying "the Catholic Church is wrong" and that bishops should "spend time fixing the Catholic Church" instead of criticizing deportations

Archbishop Broglio stated on June 16, 2025 that mass arrests "based solely on immigration status, particularly without due processDue ProcessThe fundamental constitutional requirement that government follow fair procedures and apply laws reasonably to protect life, liberty, and property.Key ConceptDue ProcessThe fundamental constitutional requirement that government follow fair procedures and apply laws reasonably to protect life, liberty, and property.Open conceptBookmark, represents a profound social crisis"

The vast majority of deportation flights during the first several months of 2025 targeted countries with predominantly Catholic populations: Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador

61% of people at risk of deportation identify as Catholic, though Catholics represent only 20% of U.S. adults—meaning the bishops were protecting their own parishioners

At Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles, attendance dropped by half in summer 2025 following DHS immigration raids in June, with numerous community gatherings canceled to protect attendees

The White House rejected Florida bishops' request for a Christmas pause on deportations, with a spokesperson stating "President Trump was elected based on his promise to deport criminal illegal aliens"

Father Michael Pfleger placed signage on all St. Sabina Parish buildings in Chicago advising ICE and CBP agents they "do not have consent to enter this household unless they have a valid judicial warrant"