"As a bishop entrusted with the care of souls, I want to reiterate the consistent call of Catholic bishops around the U.S. for true statesmen to step forward, set aside partisan calculations and enact meaningful federal immigration reform.”



–Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda,

Archbishop of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, January 20, 2026

UPCOMING WEBINAR – 2026 State of Play on Migration 

Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., and the USCCB will co-host a webinar on migration policy updates on February 10th from 3:00-4:15pm ET. 

The webinar will begin with a prayer and introduction by Bishop Brendan Cahill, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration. 

Please register here.

WEBINAR RECORDING – Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events 

With the Superbowl, World Cup, and other sporting events on the horizon, we invite you to watch a 90-minute webinar dedicated to exploring the intersection of human trafficking and major sporting events. His Excellency Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose, California, led an opening prayer and offered thoughts on the Church’s role in combating human trafficking.

Please watch the recording here – password: qh5@?h#E

REGIONAL CONVENING — Witness to Hope: Responding to Mass Deportations

A full-day convening in Phoenix, AZ on March 12 focused on key issues related to the mass deportation of immigrants. Discussion topics will include the Catholic Church’s position on immigration and enforcement; “know your rights” guidance; the status of sensitive locations such as parishes, schools, and hospitals; strategies for accompanying immigrant communities; approaches to public events and public witness; and effective communications strategies. More regional convenings will follow.

Please register for the convening here.

ICYMI – USCCB, CCUSA, and CHA Respond to Proposed Public Charge Changes 

On December 19, 2025, the USCCB, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) jointly submitted comments responding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed regulatory changes regarding the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Within U.S. immigration law, the public charge ground of inadmissibility generally restricts people from immigrating to the United States if they are expected to become reliant on government programs to support their basic needs (i.e., a public charge). The comments stated: “We believe the Proposed Rule conflicts with the dignity of the person and the common good that society is called to uphold... For these reasons, our organizations oppose the Proposed Rule and respectfully urge that the rescission of the 2022 Final Rule and implementation of this NPRM be abandoned by the Department.”

ICYMI – Statement Regarding Deadly ICE-related Shooting in Minneapolis from Archbishop Hebda, Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis

“We continue to be at a time in this country when we need to lower the temperature of rhetoric, stop fear-filled speculation and start seeing all people as created in the image and likeness of God. That is as true for our immigrant sisters and brothers as it is for our elected officials and those who are responsible for enforcing our laws. I echo today the repeated call of the U.S. Catholic bishops that we come together as a nation and pass meaningful immigration reform that does justice to all parties. The longer we refuse to grapple with this issue in the political arena, the more divisive and violent it becomes.”

Read the full statement here.

ONGOING INITIATIVE – You Are Not Alone

Please reflect on what kinds of support your diocese can provide affected communities and be sure to let us know what you are doing at [email protected] or in this form. Check out our new flier for the initiative: English; Spanish. Please share widely and help others learn about it.

Missionaries of Hope

In honor of the 2025 theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, "Migrants, Missionaries of Hope," here are recent hopeful articles, homilies, and videos.

Three Catholic Cardinals Issue Rare Joint Statement on the Morality of U.S. Foreign Policy

Our country’s moral role in confronting evil around the world, sustaining the right to life and human dignity, and supporting religious liberty are all under examination. And the building of just and sustainable peace, so crucial to humanity’s well-being now and in the future, is being reduced to partisan categories that encourage polarization and destructive policies.

“What Does It Mean To Be a Drum Major for Justice,” Asks Archbishop Coakley

What does it mean to be ‘a drum major’ in our own communities? Dr. King’s sermon encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. Through the social service and charitable ministries of the Catholic Church, we strive to embody the Gospel mandate at the local and community levels. But just as important is the challenge to help the faithful to authentically live out this call. Our special message on immigration and our commitment to continue addressing the sin of racism are two recent examples that serve as efforts to be drum majors of love in our communities.

Archbishop Hebda: We Need Comprehensive Immigration Reform Now, Wall Street Journal:

As a bishop entrusted with the care of souls, I want to reiterate the consistent call of Catholic bishops around the U.S. for true statesmen to step forward, set aside partisan calculations and enact meaningful federal immigration reform... [I]t’s wrong to blame undocumented immigrants themselves, many of whom came here seeking safety, work or family reunification. Solidarity can’t be selective. We must stand with citizens and undocumented immigrants together as human beings created in God’s image.

The church speaks out. A new era has dawned. National Catholic Reporter

This administration's extreme assaults on human dignity and increasingly dangerous threats to peace summon religious practice, in unusually demanding ways, from the confines of the sanctuary to the public square. We Catholics in America at this moment face an unprecedented test of the faith we proclaim.

Minneapolis Catholic leaders speak out about community fear after ICE-involved shooting, National Catholic Reporter:

"The Catholic communion, therefore, has always been deeply concerned about the rights and the well-being of immigrants and migrants and refugees," Fr Korogi said. "A faith community is home for so many immigrants to this place."

New partnership aims to support Church’s ministry to migrants, refugees, OSV News:

A group including Catholic organizations announced Jan. 21 a new partnership — The Catholic Immigrant Prophetic Action Project — that aims to assist the Catholic Church in the U.S. in organizing a robust response on behalf of migrants and refugees in the country, including those with legal status, who are affected by mass deportation efforts.

US parishes focus on meeting immediate needs of immigrants, National Catholic Reporter:

The Pope Francis Center evolved from a temporary shelter the parish had set up for migrant workers. The shelter closed due to a lack of migrants coming across the border following a change in immigration policy under President Donald Trump's administration. After that, Santarosa said the parish began envisioning converting the former convent into an immigrant resource center.

Welcomer of the week

Cardinal Cupich shares how the Archdiocese of Chicago is "heroically" supporting its immigrant population this season including through clothing drives, food pantries, and legal services.

Cardinal Cupich stresses the importance of "raising our voice on behalf of immigrants and people without documents to let them know they're not alone... so too to make sure they receive due process."

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