U S Bishops Oppose Mass Deportation

U.S. BISHOPS OPPOSE TRUMP'S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN

by John R. Connolly

November 15, 2025

  On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops overwhelmingly (216 in favor, 5 against, 3 abstentions) approved a Special Message addressing their concerns about the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States under the Trump administration’s. Highlighting some of their concerns about the treatment of immigrants the bishops noted the climate of fear and concern among immigrants, the vilification of immigrants, the tactics of enforcement and profiling, the violation of immigrants' legal rights, the denial of immigrants' access to pastoral care, and the inhuman conditions in detention centers.

It is this dehumanizing environment that compels the U.S. bishops to raise their voices “in defense of God-given human dignity.” The bishops from their Christ-given responsibility as ministers and teachers of the Gospel speak out to inform the Catholic faithful of the Church’s social teaching on immigrants. The foundation of the church’s teaching on immigrants is rooted in creation, the belief that all human persons are created in the image and likeness of God. Also, in his own preaching the priority of Jesus was on the most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger. To this the bishops add that the church’s concern for neighbor, as well as for immigrants, is based upon Jesus’s command to love as he has loved us. Offering their support to immigrants the bishops state that “we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer. You are not alone.”

Finally, in the strongest possible language the bishops state, “We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or law enforcement.” The bishops close by offering an atmosphere of dialogue and hope. As an option to mass deportation, they state that they will continue to support a meaningful immigration reform.

11/15/25

The Statement of the U.S. Bishops

USCCB Website

November 12, 2025

U.S. BISHOPS OPPOSE TRUMP'S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN

​The Statement of the U.S. Bishops

The Statement of the U.S. Bishops