Excerpt from the Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2025:

Let us journey together in hope

First of all, to journey. The Jubilee motto, “Pilgrims of Hope”, evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.



Recent Policy Resources:

The following resources have been released by USCCB/MRS:



• Summary of Initial Migration-Related Executive Actions of the Second Trump Administration
• Explainer on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and the Catholic Church
• Explainer on Immigration Enforcement and Protected Areas
• Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform

These and other resources from USCCB/MRS Policy and Advocacy are available and will be updated at usccb.org/migrationpolicy

Q & A - Responding to Immigration Enforcement Efforts

Given the increase in immigration enforcement efforts under the new administration, it is important that communities across the country be able to respond. This new resource includes information in reference to know your rights, standby guardianship, sensitive locations, rapid response efforts, and related topics. It aims at providing a consolidated resource for people seeking resources pertinent to this issue. It is available in both English and Spanish.

NEW JFI Resources

JFI Policy Issues Page: As we continue into the first 100 days of a new administration that will likely bring initiatives and challenges on the migration front, our new JFI page on the website will provide an opportunity to explore some of the longstanding policy positions staked out by the institutional church on this issue and updated responses to emergent policy issues.

Bishops Statements on Migration: This contains links to statements made by bishops, individually and collectively, on the topic of migration here in the United States. If your bishop has released a statement and it is not currently on our site, please give us a heads up and send a link to [email protected].

JFI Video Project: Request for Submissions

We are looking to create a series of short videos (1-2 minutes each) that highlight the Church’s response to migration on the ground in various dioceses. These videos will help provide a clearer understanding of how the Church is responding to the needs of migrants, including DACA recipients, refugees, religious workers, and other migrant groups.

We are particularly interested in showcasing the work being done by diocesan leaders, ministries, and local communities, and would like to include interviews or testimonies from individuals directly affected. With respect to privacy and sensitivity, we are committed to protecting the anonymity of any participants who wish to remain anonymous.

These videos will not only highlight the Church's ongoing efforts but also bring a human face to the issue of migration and how the Church is walking alongside those in need. If you are able to assist or have any recommendations for people or stories to feature, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please reach out to Katherine Clifton, MRS' Assistant Director of Communications, if you are interested. She can help with planning, filming, and editing ([email protected]).

Policy Update /

Actualización de Política

We are thankful to the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) for its weekly Migration Update. Please visit their bilingual Migration Update page to stay up-to-date on recent migration policy updates.

View the March 25 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

• Trump to revoke the legal status of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
• Trump administration escalates legal fight over deportations of Venezuelan group
• DHS eliminates internal watchdog offices

View the March 18 CMS Migration Update, which includes:

• Trump deports Venezuelans under 1798 law in defiance of federal court judgement
• Trump asks Supreme Court to end birthright citizenship
• U.S. toughens visit rules for Canadians
• Court ruling protecting DACA recipients takes effect

Recent Migration-Related Stories, Op-Eds, Videos, Social Media Posts and Interviews by Catholic Bishops, and (Arch)Dioceses and Catholic Agency Executives

Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, DC: More excerpts from interview with the new archbishop of Washington, where he discusses challenges faced by immigrants

Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar of Washington, DC interview on EWTN: “Migrants make the United States a great nation”

Franciscan Friars – Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Protecting the dignity of all: A statement on the drastic changes to U.S. immigration law and policy

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (video): Protected spaces 

America Magazine Editorial: Trump is not a king. Immigrants are not invaders

Notable New Publications, Reports, Resources, Articles, Etc.

Congressional Research Service: Noncitizen Eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP

This report provides an overview of Medicaid/CHIP eligibility rules for noncitizens. It details important background on Medicaid and CHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program), the eligibility rules for noncitizens, and exceptions for non-eligible noncitizens.

Migration Policy Institute: Shifting Priorities: How the Official English Executive Order Could Affect Language Access Efforts

The Trump administration’s recent executive order declaring English the official language of the United States could lead to less consistent and coordinated efforts by federal agencies to provide information and services in languages other than English to the nation’s nearly 28 million residents who have limited English proficiency. Executive Order 14224 revokes a quarter-century-old executive order requiring federal agencies to improve access to their programs for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. Read about the executive order in our latest analysis.

American Immigration Council: Expedited Removal Explainer

Expedited removal is a process by which low-level immigration officers can summarily remove certain noncitizens from the United States without a hearing before an immigration judge. Undocumented immigrants placed in expedited removal proceedings are entitled to access the asylum system if they express fear of persecution, torture, or of returning to their home country. Learn more about expedited removal with this document.

National Immigration Forum: Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Fact Sheet

TPS is a government protection granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their country from adequately handling the return. Read our latest fact sheet to learn more about TPS.