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The immigration issue

Local, national and international perspectives on immigration.

In this series

New casting of Catholic sculptor's immigration artwork unveiled

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A new casting of a 3.5-ton bronze sculpture commissioned by the Vatican has made a temporary stop in Washington before it eventually finds a permanent home...

Plight of world’s migrants and refugees should spur solidarity, bishop says at Mass

The desperate plight of millions of migrants and refugees fleeing their homes around the world, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a “human drama” that should cause...

Catholics urged to help 'unite world' on behalf of internally displaced people

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The World Day for Migrants and Refugees Sept. 27 is a chance for Catholics "to unite the world" on behalf of displaced people and "pray for the...

In the 2020 presidential election, immigration is about two Americas

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The way two panelists at a key immigration conference see it, the issue Donald Trump ran on in his successful 2016 campaign emerges in this year's...

Congress urged to cover immigrant, refugee families in any stimulus bill

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee told a House subcommittee Sept. 23 that any stimulus bill Congress is considering must include...

Immigrants with COVID-19 symptoms may suffer silently, fearing deportation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Raul Castaneda, 48, didn't feel well, with fluctuating fevers and fatigue, in the two weeks before he died of COVID-19 in April. But he didn't...

'Immigration Nation,' streaming, Netflix

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The U.S. immigration system, most concur, is broken. Prescriptions for fixing it vary widely, however, and the issue is likely to be a prominent one in this...

Complicated crossings: Pandemic has not stopped migration

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The coronavirus pandemic has complicated the situation of migrants and refugees, but it has not stopped people from seeking safety and a better life abroad,...

A few months back, I found a drawing on Facebook that really caught my attention. It’s a picture of two young women. The Latina is holding a sign that says, "Black...

Catholic organizations rush to oppose proposed asylum changes

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic organizations and others who fear that proposed changes by the Trump administration will all but eliminate the asylum system rushed to meet a July 15...

Don't turn away from suffering on border, urges Sister Norma Pimentel

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In an opinion piece in The Washington Post daily newspaper, Sister Norma Pimentel, known for her work with migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border near Brownsville,...

Asylum at the border is 'effectively over,' El Paso bishop says

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After visiting a group of pregnant migrant women on the Mexico side of the border, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso Texas, issued strong words June 25 about the...

Report highlights role of immigrants as essential workers in COVID fight

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- On the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Center for Migration Studies of New York released a new report highlighting the role of 19.8 million immigrant...

U.S. bishops issue statement in support of migrant farmworkers during pandemic

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Four U.S. Catholic bishops called on government officials to consider the role and plight of U.S. migrant farmworkers during the coronavirus pandemic and made...

Bishops criticize immigration restrictions, say they will hurt families

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and two other Catholic bishops criticized President Donald Trump's April 22 executive order to...

Federal relief leaves out DACA students

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Department of Education said federal financial relief for coronavirus for higher education is meant for U.S. citizens, prompting protests from...

Catholic immigration advocates attack Trump tweet on halting immigration

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Though it's still unclear how an April 20 tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump saying he would "suspend immigration into the United States!"...

Bishops join concerns for protection of migrants, virus spread via deportations

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Some U.S. bishops joined an effort by national organizations and other groups in Latin America calling on global leaders to provide better protections for...

As coronavirus crisis impacts ‘poorest of poor’ in Langley Park, parish’s emergency fund seeks support

While the coronavirus pandemic has brought fear and uncertainty to much of the nation, a local priest and Catholic school principal serving the ‘poorest of the poor’ in Langley...

Migrant ministries call for end to deportations during pandemic

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Catholic migrant ministries of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras have called for an end to deportations during the COVID-19 crisis, saying the practice exposes...

Archbishop Gregory says Church's support for immigrants flows from the Gospel

The following is excerpted from Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s March 25, 2020 interview with Mark Zimmermann, editor of the Catholic Standard newspaper and website of the Archdiocese...

Pandemic adds increasing burdens on immigrants without legal status

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- From a darkened room, the immigrant spoke in mid-March via Skype to a reporter from the TV station Guatevision, which focuses on issues pertaining to...

Vatican announces theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the next World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis wants Catholics to focus on the pastoral care of people displaced within the borders of their...

Visit with immigrant detainees shows bishops the love of family

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A pair of bishops who spent two hours at a Maryland detention center praying and talking with a small group of immigrants facing deportation saw how strong...

At Catholic Charities forum, parishioners learn ways they can support immigrants

Christ the King Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, hosted a forum on Feb. 29 that offered insights on the plight of immigrants today and how parishioners can help them. During the...

Some concerned Turkish president is weaponizing Syrian refugees

AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) -- Turkey and Greece are trading blame following the deaths of Syrian refugees trying to flee to Europe, but some observers believe Turkish President Recep...

Churches work to alleviate suffering of people who 'Remain in Mexico'

MATAMOROS, Mexico (CNS) -- From a row of tables set up amid a sea of tents, volunteers in teal shirts distributed bags of basics such as beans, rice and cooking oil to a long line...

Immigrant college students discuss what they've faced and what's ahead

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- On any college campus, it wouldn't be hard to find students who say how hard they worked to get where they are or to stay there -- from the application...

Bishop urges Congress to show compassion, solidarity with refugees

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- During a Feb. 27 congressional hearing about the status of the nation's refugee program, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville quoted someone who is...

Immigrant college students describe uncertain road ahead

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Mizraim Guerrero, a senior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, said he found his voice as an immigrant advocate after experiencing...

First Latino elected USCCB president; immigration reform among priorities

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- It will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez that immigration reform is at the top of his priority list as the...

Participants at regional Encuentro meeting encourage Church to accompany immigrants

The pastoral care of Hispanic families and immigrants, accompaniment of youth and young adults, and leadership development were the top priorities that Hispanic ministry leaders...