Faith leaders condemn U.S. immigration policies as morally indefensible

A conference on migration policy, held on 24 March 2023, brought together faith leaders and experts to examine U.S. immigration through the lens of Catholic social teaching. Organised by Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and the Center for Migration Studies of New York, the event also tackled legal disputes over a cancelled government contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ refugee resettlement programme.

Among the speakers, Cardinal Robert McElroy, the newly appointed archbishop of Washington, delivered strong criticisms of current policies. He condemned mass deportations and the freezing of humanitarian aid as morally indefensible actions against vulnerable people.

Cardinal McElroy outlined two opposing visions for U.S. immigration policy. The first called for secure borders combined with dignity for all, alongside a generous approach to asylum and refugees. The second, he warned, risked becoming a ‘crusade’ that criminalises undocumented individuals and strips them of basic human respect. He argued that most Americans would support the first path, as it reflects Catholic teachings on justice and compassion.

The cardinal also tied the treatment of migrants to broader societal attitudes. He described a ‘throwaway culture,’ echoing Pope Francis, where the dignity of migrants, the unborn, and the elderly is equally disregarded. This indifference, he said, fuels policies that leave people in fear and desperation. Beyond the conference, Cardinal Fabio Baggio of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development took part in a rally, march, and prayer vigil in El Paso, Texas. The event, held on the same day, showed solidarity with migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. McElroy did not dismiss the right of nations to control their borders. But he insisted such control must be exercised with fairness and mercy. He reserved his harshest words for the suspension of USAID funds meant for humanitarian relief, calling it ‘moral theft’ from the world’s poorest and most desperate people.

The conference highlighted deep concerns over U.S. immigration policies, particularly their impact on vulnerable groups. Legal battles over the cancelled refugee resettlement contract remain unresolved, while calls for a more humane approach continue. Cardinal McElroy’s remarks underscored the tension between border security and the moral obligation to treat migrants with dignity.