Catholic Bishops and the Root Causes of Forced Migration

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have been thinking about, praying over, and writing on immigration since the 1920s! Here we explore the 6th and final element of their publication titled Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform, published in January, 2025.

Element 6: The root causes of forced migration should be addressed

Throughout human history people have migrated. Even the Holy Family moved to Egypt to flee persecution. An effective way to evaluate sustainable migration is to recognize the root causes of migration.

The “right to life provides that people should be able to flourish in their homeland, with migration being a free choice.” However, when conditions are such that life has little dignity and survival is improbable, “people have the right to migrate.” It is the duty of other countries “to accommodate that right to the extent possible.”

Many factors cause people to migrate, including discrimination, persecution, war, famine, and natural disasters.

The bishops specify this migration needs to be addressed by and in “a meaningful cooperation between the United States and other countries.” It cannot be managed by one country.

“Beloved, I pray that you may go well with you and that you may be in good health”

—3 John 2 (NRSV - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)

What do you think are the prevailing reasons people migrate today? Why did your ancestors migrate to the United States?



We hope you have enjoyed the Catholic Bishops and Immigration blogs. Please continue to pray for immigrants and for our country.

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.