June 23: Immigration Enforcement

Pray 

Pray that migrants can access the sacraments of the Church and safely worship in their communities. 

Reflect 

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to carry out mass deportations of immigrants, and in his first year and a half in office, his administration has made immigration enforcement a priority. The actions of the administration in this area have affected people of faith in two key ways: fear of participating in worship due to the administration’s change in policy for enforcement at so-called sensitive locations (otherwise known as “protected areas”), and access to religious services in detention centers. Some dioceses have taken the extraordinary step of dispensing the faithful from their Sunday obligation if they feel that going to Mass exposes them to risk of detention. Detainees have, at times, found their access to the sacraments and pastoral care unnecessarily inhibited. As new immigration operations begin, and new detention centers are erected, these kinds of threats will persist. While Catholics may disagree among themselves over how best to manage immigration, we should all agree that fundamental rights, including for noncitizens, warrant respect.   

Act 

The USCCB’s You Are Not Alone initiative offers hope, accompaniment, and practical support to immigrants and their families facing fear and instability due to immigration enforcement in the United States. The initiative focuses on actions like emergency and family support, accompaniment and pastoral care, solidarity through public prayer and witness, and education about Church teaching and immigrants’ rights. Get involved by using the initiative’s resources in your parishes and communities, organizing or participating in prayer and witness events, offering direct support to immigrant families, signing the Cabrini Pledge, and connecting with local Catholic Charities or legal service affiliates.