Migrant-descended Archbishop Pérez reassures fellow migrants, saying, "You are never on your own."
In a pastoral letter issued on July 23, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, the son of Cuban exiles, addressed migrants and the nation, emphasizing the Catholic social teaching on immigration. The letter, posted on CatholicPhilly.com, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's media outlet, adds to a growing chorus of U.S. Catholic prelates expressing concerns over the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
Archbishop Pérez, who was president of the Catholic Hispanic Leadership Conference before issuing his pastoral statement, balanced the right to migrate, a country's right to regulate borders, and a nation's duty to do so with justice and mercy. He advocated for immigration policies that guarantee the protection of life, liberty, and property for all U.S. residents, regardless of citizenship status.
The letter comes amidst a series of efforts by the Trump administration to purge the nation of what Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calls 'criminal' and 'illegal aliens.' Among these efforts are terminating protected status for migrants from several conflict-wrought nations, banning travel from several nations, ordering ICE to meet daily arrest quotas, halting visa interviews for foreign students, attempting to end birthright citizenship, and deporting individuals without permanent legal status in the U.S. to third countries in defiance of court orders.
As of July 13, 71.5% (40,643) of the 56,813 held in ICE detention have no criminal conviction, other than entering the U.S. without permission. Several high-profile arrests and deportations have impacted individuals with no demonstrated criminal record.
The Church, according to Archbishop Pérez, is a community of faith that holds migrants in Christ's compassionate arms. He acknowledged the contributions of migrants to society through hard work and upright living as a blessing to the country and the Church. He encouraged migrants to remain close to their parish communities and priests for pastoral care.
Archbishop Pérez concluded his letter with a prayer for migrants and the nation, seeking God's protection and comprehensive immigration reform that respects the law and provides opportunities for all. He urged parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity, with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors.
The administration's immigration policies have sparked fear and emotional impact on the migrant community. Two U.S. dioceses have issued dispensations from Sunday Mass obligations for those with genuine fears of ICE raids: San Bernardino, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.
Gina Christian, a multimedia reporter, covers the story for the media outlet. Follow her on Twitter @GinaJesseReina. Archbishops Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. military archdiocese, Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, and San Diego Bishop Michael M. Pham are among those who have spoken out against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
In a Jan. 30 statement, Archbishop Pérez called for immigration policy reforms that blend dignity, mercy, and justice. He reiterated this call in his pastoral letter, urging the nation to remember that everyone should have a safe place to live with the opportunity to work for a just wage. The eternal homeland, he stated, is heaven.
As the debate over immigration continues, Archbishop Pérez's pastoral letter serves as a reminder of the Church's role in advocating for the dignity and rights of all, regardless of citizenship status.
