(New York) New York bishops issued a rare joint statement on November 13, 2025, denouncing what they called the “wanton and unnecessary separation of families” in U.S. immigration enforcement and urging federal leaders to reject policies that deport parents and children who are seeking safety.
Joint statement and significance
The statement, titled “For You Too Were Once Aliens,” was released by the New York State Catholic Conference and signed by every bishop who leads a diocese in the state, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.
It marks one of the strongest collective interventions by Church leaders in the state on immigration in recent years, as deportations and enforcement raids continue to unsettle immigrant communities.
Core criticisms and concerns
The bishops condemned deportations of migrants who are trying to obtain refugee status and warned that sudden removals of people with pending or recently approved protections create deep fear across entire neighborhoods.
They argued that migrants fleeing war, persecution, or extreme poverty should not face arbitrary cancellation of their legal status or be forced back to countries where their lives or freedom may be at risk.
Although the bishops did not name a specific administration or agency, their language targeted what they see as a pattern of “fear campaigns” and high-profile enforcement actions. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, faith groups nationwide have stepped up public pressure as communities report late-night arrests, workplace checks, and families split between detention centers and home.
Theological and moral foundations
Quoting the social teaching of the Catholic Church, the statement invoked Pope Leo XIII and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which assert that wealthy nations have a duty to welcome foreigners who seek security and a basic livelihood.
At the same time, the bishops reiterated the Church’s view that immigrants have responsibilities: they should respect the laws, culture, and heritage of the receiving country and work for the common good of their new communities.
“A just society does not treat every immigrant as a criminal.”
Enforcement stance: balance and limits
The bishops made clear they are not ignoring crime or abandoning border controls. They acknowledged that some immigrants commit crimes and said such individuals should face fair legal processes and, when appropriate, deportation.
However, they insisted enforcement must be humane, proportionate, and targeted, avoiding sweeping actions that tear apart families who have lived peacefully in the United States 🇺🇸 for years.
One passage warned against what the bishops see as collective punishment, arguing that broad enforcement tools often fail to distinguish between dangerous offenders and parents working multiple jobs to support U.S.-born children. They called for a “sober, thoughtful” approach that protects public safety without turning immigrant families into “collateral damage.”
Calls to action for Catholics and communities
The statement urged Catholics across New York to move beyond partisan debate and respond concretely. The bishops asked parishioners to:
- Pray for migrants
- Support local legal aid and shelter programs
- Sign the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Cabrini Pledge” (inspired by St. Frances Xavier Cabrini), which:
- Calls on Catholics to welcome newcomers
- Opposes racist or anti-immigrant rhetoric
- Encourages work for laws that support family unity and fair treatment
Local impact and parish realities
For many Catholics, the appeal will feel personal. Parishes across New York—from the Bronx to Buffalo—include both long-settled families and recent arrivals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Priests report parishioners skipping Mass, English classes, or parent-teacher meetings out of fear that any public appearance could lead to contact with immigration officers.
Policy recommendations and political context
The bishops’ statement arrives while Congress remains deadlocked on immigration reform and executive actions on asylum and enforcement continue to shift. They urged lawmakers to craft comprehensive legislation that:
- Respects borders
- Sets up orderly and fair processes for entering the country
- Offers a way forward for long-term residents who have built lives, raised children, and contributed to the economy
They specifically called for forms of forgiveness—often described as regularization or earned legalization—for immigrants who have shown loyalty, work ethic, and community ties over many years.
At the same time, the bishops condemned threats or attacks against immigration officers and local law enforcement, saying frustration with policy should never spill over into violence. They voiced support for peaceful protest and civic engagement, urging Catholics to contact elected officials, vote, and take part in respectful public debate.
Responses from religious orders and advocates
Catholic religious orders quickly echoed the message. The Sisters of Charity of New York issued their own statement backing the bishops and stressing the “sacredness of family unity.” They rejected what they described as punitive mass deportations and reiterated calls for immigration reform rooted in justice, mercy, and durable solutions rather than short-term political gains.
Immigration lawyers and advocates say the bishops’ words could influence policy discussions, especially in a state with millions of immigrants and a large Catholic population. While Church leaders do not write laws, their united stance sends a strong signal to Catholic lawmakers in both parties and to local officials who oversee cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
Some advocates hope the statement will bolster efforts to:
- Expand legal defense funds
- Limit unnecessary detention
- Promote alternatives to removal for parents of U.S.-citizen children
Federal guidance and the bishops’ concerns
Federal authorities, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, say they focus on public safety threats and recent border crossers. Official guidelines, available on the USCIS refugees and asylum page, describe protections for those who fear persecution and outline pathways for legal status.
Still, the bishops’ intervention reflects a growing belief among faith leaders that many long-time residents with strong community ties remain at risk of deportation and family separation.
Human stories and pastoral purpose
For families in pews and parish halls, the debate is not abstract. Concerns include:
- Parents detained on the way to work, leaving children at school with no one to pick them up
- Teenagers raised in New York fearing removal to countries they barely remember
- Elderly grandparents who overstayed visas decades ago wondering if they should stop attending medical appointments
The bishops’ unified voice is meant to reassure these families that they are not alone and that the Church will continue to advocate for them.
Historical framing and closing appeal
By closing their statement with a reminder that “you too were once aliens,” the New York bishops appealed to the historical memory of a country built in large part by immigrants — including earlier generations of Irish, Italian, Polish, and other Catholic arrivals.
They argued that this history creates a moral duty to treat today’s migrants—no matter their language or skin color—with the same mercy and fairness that earlier newcomers once needed and often struggled to receive.
