Catholic bishop from San Diego participates in assembly at federal courthouse on International Refugee Day
In a show of unity and compassion, Bishop Susan Brown Snook of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego joined Catholic San Diego Bishop-designate Michael Pham and 11 other faith leaders in solidarity with immigrants at the city's federal courthouse on World Refugee Day, June 20, 2025.
The gathering was a response to the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have led to closer collaboration between Bishop Snook and the Catholic diocese since her episcopate began in 2019.
As of June 20, 2025, 55,765 immigrants are in ICE custody, according to the latest data compiled by NBC News. This has been a concern for the faith leaders, who have been advocating for the humane treatment of immigrants.
Before going to the courthouse, the faith leaders and other members of the faith community gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral for Mass. Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego was one of the two non-Catholic faith leaders who participated in the federal court visitation.
During the visitation, the faith leaders observed four cases and offered assistance to the immigrants after their cases were heard. Imam Hassane assisted a Muslim immigrant who needed help getting back confiscated legal documents.
Bishop Snook emphasized that while they respect the legal process, they also believe that people should be treated with humanity and compassion. She stated that refugees and immigrants are beloved people of God who are our neighbours and should be listened to and valued for who they are.
Snook believes that the faith leaders' presence at the courthouse made a difference, sending a message that God loves all people and that people of faith are called to respect the dignity of every human being. She stated that the purpose of their presence was not to protest or cause a scene, but to be a presence and a sign of care and compassion for the immigrants going through the immigration process.
The Trump administration's immigration policies have been a source of controversy, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents having been violently arresting immigrants at courthouses, workplaces, and other public and private places since Trump took office in January 2017.
Many undocumented immigrants in the United States work in sectors like construction, agriculture, meat processing, hospitality, and service, with nearly half of all farmworkers being undocumented, according to the Center for Migration Studies of New York.
President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to deport more than 10 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. However, the faith leaders' actions serve as a reminder that, for many, the issue extends beyond politics and is a matter of human dignity and compassion.
On June 11, 2025, Pham and the diocese's two auxiliary bishops, the Most Rev. Ramón Bejarano and the Most Rev. Felipe Pulido, announced a planned federal court visitation in a joint letter. No arrests were made during the visit to the federal courthouse on June 20, 2025.
Bishop Michael Pham, previously an auxiliary bishop of the Catholic diocese, was appointed bishop in May 2025. Snook stated that people of faith should be the voice that asks for mercy, justice, and compassion for refugees and immigrants. She believes that their presence at the courthouse is a step towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
