The news has been filled in recent days with stories, videos and commentaries related to the enforcement of immigration laws. We need to be careful, prayerful and discerning as we listen to the rhetoric from all sides which surround this moment. Much of that commentary is based on politics and not the search for the common good. Our Catholic faith and teaching, on the other hand, give us a basis for charity, strength and patience.
Immigration is a complex phenomenon. As Pope Francis has written, “Many migrants have fled from war, persecution and natural catastrophes. Others, rightly, ‘are seeking opportunities for themselves and their families.’” (Fratelli tutti, N. 37). The Holy Father here is distinguishing between refugees and immigrants. Embedded in these different motivations are different levels of need which must be considered.
As Catholics, we hold to a fundamental principle: the inherent dignity of every human being. God has made every person in His image and likeness. We must, therefore, see God in all of our brothers and sisters. In this case, those who are immigrating, for whatever reason, merit our love and respect because of that dignity. But so too do the citizens of the receiving country. In that context, we can seek to apply three basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching on immigration.
As the Catholic Bishops of the United States have taught, “The first principle of Catholic social teaching regarding immigrants is that people have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families. This is based on biblical and ancient Christian teaching that the goods of the earth belong to all people.” Simply put, the greater the urgency for the goods of earth as related to goods of respect for human life and for family, the greater the obligation to respond generously.
The second principle of Catholic social teaching regarding immigrants, however, is this, “While individuals have the right to move in search of a
safe and humane life, no country is bound to accept all those who wish to resettle there. … Catholic
social teaching is realistic: While people have the right to move, no country has the duty to receive so many immigrants that its social and economic life
are jeopardized.”
In short, countries have a right to regulate their borders and control immigration. They need to do so in order to secure the safety and security of the nation and its people and to protect its social and economic life.
These two principles at times can be in tension, one with the other. For that reason, Catholic social teaching offers a third principle. As the bishops of the United States have written, “A country’s regulation of borders and control of immigration must be governed by concern for all people and by mercy and justice.”
This principle seeks to integrate the rights and dignity of refugees and immigrants with the rights and needs of the receiving country. It is a search for the common good which seeks justice, the giving to each what is rightly due to him or her and their needs.
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago stated recently, “If the indiscriminate mass deportation being reported were to be carried out, this would be an affront to the dignity of all people and communities, and deny the legacy of what it means to be an American.”
However, he went on to say, “Government has the responsibility to secure our borders and keep us safe. We support the legitimate efforts of law enforcement to protect the safety and security of our communities —criminality cannot be countenanced when committed by immigrants or longtime citizens.”
As Catholics, we seek the common good and respect for human dignity. And we do so in the context of a world that is broken by sin and wracked by violence and injustice. Our Catholic social teaching has much to offer as guidance for this moment in history.
