The Catholic Church's Teachings on Immigration and Illegal Immigration

The Catholic Church's Teachings on Immigration and Illegal Immigration

The Catholic Church has long been a vocal advocate for the rights and dignity of immigrants. Rooted in its social teachings, the Church emphasizes the importance of welcoming the stranger and providing support to those in need, regardless of their legal status. Here, we explore the key principles and teachings of the Catholic Church on immigration and illegal immigration.

Biblical Foundations

The Church's stance on immigration is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. Both the Old and New Testaments contain numerous references to the treatment of foreigners and the importance of hospitality. For instance, Leviticus 19:33-34 states, "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt." Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of welcoming strangers in Matthew 25:35, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the Church's position on immigration. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) outlines three basic principles of Catholic social teaching on immigration:

1. People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.** This principle recognizes that individuals have the right to seek better living conditions and opportunities when they are unable to find them in their home countries.

2. A country has the right to regulate its borders and control immigration.** While the Church acknowledges the right of nations to manage their borders, it emphasizes that this must be done in a manner that respects human dignity and the rights of individuals.

3. A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.** The Church calls for immigration policies that are humane and just, prioritizing the protection of human rights and the dignity of all individuals.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church further elaborates on the Church's teachings on immigration. It states, "The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin". This teaching underscores the moral responsibility of wealthier nations to provide refuge and support to those fleeing difficult circumstances.

Papal Encyclicals and Statements

Over the years, various popes have reinforced the Church's teachings on immigration. Pope Francis, in particular, has been a strong advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees. He has called for a compassionate and humane approach to immigration, emphasizing the need to protect the dignity and rights of all individuals. Pope Benedict XVI also articulated the Church's position, stating that while nations have the right to regulate migration, they must do so in a way that respects human dignity and human rights.

The Catholic Church’s teachings on illegal immigration are rooted in its broader social doctrine, which emphasizes the dignity of every human person, the common good, and a balance between compassion and justice. These teachings do not provide a simple endorsement or condemnation of illegal immigration but instead offer a nuanced framework that considers the rights and responsibilities of individuals, nations, and the global community. As of March 10, 2025, this perspective remains shaped by Scripture, papal writings, and statements from bodies like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), reflecting both timeless principles and responses to contemporary challenges.

At the heart of the Church’s stance is the belief that all people, regardless of legal status, possess inherent dignity as creations of God. This stems from biblical calls to welcome the stranger, such as Leviticus 19:34—“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt”—and Matthew 25:35, where Jesus identifies with the marginalized: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” The Church sees the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt as an archetype of refugees, reinforcing a moral imperative to care for those displaced or in need. Pope Pius XII, in his 1952 apostolic constitution Exsul Familia, underscored this by placing the Church “squarely on the side of those seeking a better life by fleeing their homes,” a position echoed by subsequent popes.

The first key principle is the right to migrate. Catholic teaching holds that individuals have a natural right to move to sustain their lives and those of their families when conditions in their homeland—poverty, violence, or persecution—make a dignified life impossible. Pope John XXIII, in his 1963 encyclical Pacem in Terris, affirmed this, stating that people may emigrate “when there are just reasons in favor of it.” This right is not absolute, however; it’s framed as a response to necessity, not a blanket entitlement to cross borders at will. Pope Francis has often highlighted this, as in his 2024 Angelus address, where he decried “systematic” efforts to repel migrants as a “grave sin,” urging nations to prioritize human life over rigid exclusion.

Yet, this right is balanced by a second principle: a nation’s right to regulate its borders. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2241) states, “Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions.” This acknowledges that countries can set immigration policies to protect their social, economic, and cultural stability. The Church does not advocate for “open borders” in the political sense; rather, it recognizes sovereignty as legitimate when exercised justly. The USCCB has noted that enforcing immigration laws isn’t inherently contrary to Catholic teaching, provided it aligns with the common good and doesn’t dehumanize individuals.

A third principle ties these together: regulation must be tempered with mercy and justice. While nations can control borders, the Church insists this be done humanely. It condemns policies that criminalize mere survival-driven migration or exploit undocumented individuals’ vulnerability. The 2003 joint pastoral letter by U.S. and Mexican bishops, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, calls for reforms to address root causes like poverty and war, arguing that punitive measures alone—like mass deportations without due process—violate human dignity. The Church also opposes separating families or deporting people to dangerous conditions unless they pose a clear threat (e.g., violent criminals).

Regarding illegal immigration specifically, the Church avoids blanket approval or rejection. It distinguishes between persons and their actions: while entering a country without authorization may break civil law, the person retains God-given rights to basic needs—food, shelter, healthcare. Pope John Paul II, in his 1996 World Day of Migrants and Refugees message, wrote, “In the Church no one is a stranger… illegal immigrants are also recognized and accepted as brothers and sisters.” This drives Catholic ministries, like Catholic Charities, to serve undocumented migrants with aid, legal help, and advocacy, viewing such work as a Gospel mandate (Matthew 25) rather than a political stance. Critics, like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2024 lawsuits against groups like Annunciation House, have accused such efforts of facilitating illegal activity, but the Church frames them as acts of mercy within legal bounds, protected by religious freedom.

The Church also emphasizes the right not to migrate, urging wealthier nations to address migration’s causes—war, economic disparity, climate crises—through global cooperation. Fratelli Tutti (2020) by Pope Francis argues, “Ideally, unnecessary migration ought to be avoided” by fostering conditions for a dignified life in home countries. This long-term vision contrasts with short-term debates over border security, pushing for a holistic approach over unilateral crackdowns.

In practice, this teaching creates tension. The USCCB has long called for U.S. immigration reform, criticizing a “broken” system that keeps families apart or punishes “Dreamers” brought as children. They advocate legal pathways for undocumented residents who’ve integrated—some 80% of whom have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, per estimates—contributing economically (e.g., $100 billion in taxes yearly). Yet, they don’t deny a nation’s prerogative to deport in specific cases, like security risks, provided it’s not “indiscriminate” or “massive,” as Cardinal McElroy warned in 2025 against Trump-era proposals.

Critics from various sides misread this balance. Some conservatives claim the Church supports unchecked illegal entry, pointing to Francis’s rhetoric; posts on X in early 2025 accused him of contradicting the Catechism by opposing deportations outright. Progressives, meanwhile, argue the Church doesn’t go far enough, expecting full amnesty advocacy. Both miss the nuance: the Church seeks a middle path—compassion without chaos, order without cruelty. It’s less about dictating policy than challenging all sides to prioritize human dignity over political expediency, a stance that, as of March 10, 2025, remains both timeless and tested by today’s polarized debates.

Conclusion

The Catholic Church's teachings on immigration and illegal immigration are grounded in biblical principles, social teaching, and the moral imperative to uphold human dignity. The Church calls for a balanced approach that respects the rights of individuals to seek better opportunities while recognizing the right of nations to manage their borders. Ultimately, the Church advocates for policies that are just, humane, and reflective of the inherent dignity of every person.