Catholic Bishops on Humanitarian Protections and Due Process

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have been thinking about, praying over, and writing on immigration since the 1920s! Here we explore the second element of their publication titled Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform, published in January 2025.

Element 2: Humanitarian protections and due process should be ensured

The bishops stress the importance of furthering the common good with humanitarian and legal protection for refugees, asylum seekers, victims of human trafficking, and abused youth. This is achieved through refugee resettlement, asylum, temporary protected status, and visas.

• The U.S. asylum system should NOT raise the already high bar for relief. It is not humane to return an immigrant to their country of origin if their life is in danger.
• The immigration process must be subject to due process.
• Noncitizens should not be dehumanized or vilified. All persons are created in God’s image.

“Restricting access to humanitarian protections will only endanger those who are most vulnerable and deserving of relief.”

U.S. asylum can be granted to refugees already present in this country. They are persons who cannot or are unwilling to return to their home country due to persecution. The persecution can be based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The entity persecuting the individual is either a government actor or a group the government is unable or unwilling to control.

All persons in the U.S., both citizens and non-citizens, have the right to due process. Due process provides all to have the right to access legal representation, and the opportunity to defend themselves in court at a fair hearing.

Have you heard of persons not provided the right of due process, or being rushed through the court system without time to secure legal representation? Has anyone in your ancestry (recent or distant) been vilified or discriminated against as an immigrant?

“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them;” —Genesis 1:27 (NRSV - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” —Matthew 25:40 (NRSV - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)

Over the next weeks, please return to learn the remaining elements and ponder related questions.

Join us to gain a clearer understanding of how immigration, policy and human dignity intersect at Immigration: Facts, Fiction and Faith with Darryl Morin, National President of Forward Latino. St. Anthony on the Lake, Wednesday, February 4th, 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Read the full text of Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform here. Read their most recent message on immigration here, or watch their video of their message here.