(UNITED STATES) Former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Tom Homan has sharply criticized the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops over its new immigration message, saying Church leaders are “wrong” and warning that only a secure border saves lives. The clash, which surfaced after the USCCB released a special statement in November 2025, highlights deep division inside the United States 🇺🇸 over how to balance border enforcement with calls for mercy toward migrants.
Homan’s position: enforcement, deterrence, and lives at risk
Homan, often called a border czar for his hard‑line stance, spoke out as a lifelong Catholic who says he feels betrayed by Church leaders on this issue. He argued that The bishops’ message — urging Catholics to oppose “indiscriminate mass deportation” and to show compassion for migrants — sends the wrong signal to people thinking about crossing the border illegally.
He warned that such appeals may encourage more people to attempt dangerous journeys through deserts, rivers, and cartel‑controlled areas. According to Homan, the human cost of those journeys already shows why the government must send a firm message that illegal entry has real consequences.
- He cited deaths along the southern border during President Biden’s term, saying that more than 4,000 migrants have died while trying to reach the United States 🇺🇸.
- He also linked overdose deaths inside the country to what he sees as border security failures, arguing that drug cartels profit when migrants cross and agents are stretched thin.
“A secure border saves lives,” he said — a refrain central to his argument against the USCCB.
The bishops’ stance: dignity, moral framing, and oversight
The bishops’ statement, issued after their fall gathering, framed immigration in moral and spiritual terms. Citing Scripture and Catholic teaching, the USCCB stressed human dignity for all people, including those without legal status. The message called on Catholics to stand against “indiscriminate mass deportation” and raised alarms about conditions in detention centers.
While the bishops said they accept the need for a secure border, they argued that security should be paired with “just and orderly” immigration laws that:
- Respect families
- Protect the vulnerable
- Provide due process and humane treatment
They also highlighted reports of poor medical care, family separation, and extended stays in crowded facilities — concerns that have fueled demands for more congressional oversight and independent watchdog review.
Points of contention
Homan said Church leaders should focus on internal reforms rather than criticizing enforcement policies. He insisted that ICE is carrying out laws passed by Congress and that officers are not the problem. In his view, ICE’s top priorities are:
- Removing people who pose threats to public safety and national security
- Enforcing the law against anyone in the country illegally
His central claim: “Being in the country illegally is a crime,” and the Church should not encourage people to ignore that reality.
The policy debate also recalls measures used under President Trump. Homan referenced the Trump administration’s wider use of deportations without full court hearings and its aim for 1 million deportations in 2025. Supporters argue such actions:
- Break smugglers’ business models
- Demonstrate that border laws are enforced
Critics, including many Catholic leaders, counter that mass actions risk splitting families, sweeping up long‑term residents, and returning people to danger with limited legal recourse.
Government response and third‑party perspectives
Federal agencies say they follow standards meant to protect migrants in custody and point to official information about border enforcement and migrant processing on government sites such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection. But rights groups, faith leaders, and some lawmakers argue that problems persist and call for stronger oversight.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the bishops’ stance follows years of Church advocacy for migrants and refugees, often putting them at odds with tougher enforcement language from the White House regardless of party.
How the clash affects Catholic communities
For Catholics in the pews, the dispute may feel deeply personal. Many parishes include both law‑enforcement officers and undocumented parishioners — sometimes in the same family. Parish priests hear from ICE agents who believe they are protecting the country, and from migrants who fear arrest at work or on the way to Mass.
When a prominent Catholic like Homan publicly says the Church is “wrong” on immigration, and bishops urge resistance to broad deportation plans, local leaders can struggle to maintain unity and pastoral care.
The broader political divide
Politically, the clash feeds a national fight over what it means to have a secure border.
- Supporters of Homan’s view argue that without strong enforcement, the rule of law breaks down and criminal groups gain power. They favor physical barriers, more agents, expedited deportations, and tougher penalties.
- Backers of the bishops’ message agree borders cannot be open, but insist law and mercy must go together. They call for:
- Legal channels that meet labor needs
- Faster asylum decisions
- Protections for long‑time residents with U.S. citizen children
Both sides use the language of saving lives, but assign responsibility differently: the Church emphasizes policy and detention practices it sees as harsh, while Homan blames weak laws and mixed messages that he says lure people into danger.
What’s next
For now, neither Tom Homan nor the USCCB shows signs of changing course. The bishops continue to press for laws they say balance security with human dignity. Homan continues to defend ICE and tougher enforcement as the surest way to protect Americans and migrants.
As the border debate intensifies ahead of future elections, their public disagreement demonstrates how, even within one faith and one country, the question of how to secure the border remains one of the most divisive issues on the national stage.
This Article in a Nutshell
Tom Homan sharply criticized the USCCB’s November 2025 immigration message, arguing Church leaders risk encouraging dangerous illegal crossings and that a secure border saves lives. He cited more than 4,000 migrant deaths and linked drug harms to enforcement gaps. The bishops responded by stressing human dignity, due process and the need for just and orderly immigration laws, and calling for oversight of detention conditions. The dispute highlights tensions within Catholic communities and the national debate over balancing security with humane treatment.
