Immigrants

The Latest

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

Pope Francis: Intentionally hurting migrants ‘is a grave sin’

Aug 28, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope spoke at length about the poor conditions of migrants who attempt to cross a sea or desert to... Read more

Migrants mostly from Central America wait in line to cross the border at the Gateway International Bridge into the U.S. from Matamoros, Mexico, to Brownsville, Texas, on June 4, 2024.

Most migrants worldwide are Christian, study highlights

Aug 20, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Aug. 19 study found that in 2020, Christians made up an estimated 47% of all people living outside their... Read more

An image of the annunciation and the incarnation — when God became man in the womb of the Virgin Mary — was placed close to the altar during a Mass Pope Francis celebrated on July 7, 2024, in Trieste, Italy. The pope was in Trieste to attend the last morning of a July 3-7 Catholic conference on the topic of democracy.

‘God is hidden in human misery’: Pope Francis highlights dignity of migrants, prisoners

Jul 7, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Sunday highlighted the plight of migrants and prisoners during a Mass in Trieste, Italy, for the closing... Read more

In 2023, over half a million migrants headed toward the United States crossed the Darien Gap, the inhospitable jungle region between Colombia and Panama.

Pope Francis addresses migrant crisis in Darien Gap: ‘Every refugee challenges us’

Mar 20, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“As Christians, every refugee and migrant who leaves his or her homeland challenges us,” Pope Francis wrote. Read more

"Cabrini" chronicles the early days of the American mission of Mother Cabrini, Patroness of Immigrants.

‘Cabrini’ celebrates the saint whose trust in Christ changed New York

Mar 6, 2024

By Joseph Pronechen

In movie theaters on March 8, “Cabrini” brings to life the late-19th-century New York City missionary work of the first... Read more

Iskali, a ministry that serves young Hispanic Catholics in the United States, seeks to form active missionary disciples.

Evangelization tops U.S. bishops’ priorities in new Hispanic pastoral plan 

Jan 6, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The nation’s bishops have released their new National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry. Read more

Children of Afghan immigrants to St. Louis play during a holiday party on Dec. 9, 2023.

Catholics continue to rally around Afghan refugee families in St. Louis

Dec 30, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Exhausted Afghan men, women, and children continue to arrive to the United States. In many places, Christians are the ones... Read more

Migrants take a rest while taking part in a caravan toward the border with the United States in Tapachula, Chiapas State, Mexico, on Oct. 31, 2023.

Bishops urge Congress to take new measures to protect migrant children from human trafficking

Nov 10, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. bishops urged Congress to take 10 new measures focused on removing children from dangerous situations and placing them... Read more

A migrant boat on the beach at Camposoto San Fernando Cádiz, Spain.

Cardinal denounces enslavement, violence against African migrants en route to Europe

Oct 12, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero said: “We are talking about robberies, violence, rape, and being sold as slaves.” Read more

Migrants outside a foster home in Mexico City.

Archdiocese of Mexico warns migrant reception centers are overwhelmed

Oct 6, 2023

By Diego López Colín

According to the Ministry of the Interior of Mexico, between January and August it had encountered 402,324 undocumented migrants in... Read more

Bishops of Central America, North America, and the Caribbean met in El Salvador Aug. 21-25, 2023, to analyze various migratory scenarios at an international meeting.

In front of the tomb of St. Óscar Romero, bishops pledge to care for migrants

Aug 31, 2023

By Diego López Colín

Meeting in El Salvador Aug. 21-25, representatives of bishops’ conferences analyzed the various migratory scenarios at an international meeting. Read more

The beach at Steccato di Cutro in Calabria

Shipwreck leaves more than 50 migrants dead in Italy: The Church expresses pain

Feb 26, 2023

By Diego López Marina

Pope Francis and Church leaders in Italy sent their prayers for the eternal rest of at least 59 migrants who... Read more

April 17, 2019: Central American migrants seeking asylum line up at the bus station in McAllen, Texas to go stay with their sponsors

Federal court halts Texas' restrictions on migrant transport

Aug 26, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A legal group representing Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday praised a court decision halting Texas’ restrictions... Read more

Facing COVID criticism, Catholic Charities defends its ministry to migrants

Aug 12, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Catholic Charities on Thursday defended its ministry to migrants, amid criticism that one of its member agencies is acting recklessly... Read more

US Department of Homeland Security seal.

Mexico investigating alleged ICE detainee hysterectomies

Sep 23, 2020

Mexico is investigating reports that at least six of its nationals were among women in US immigration custody on whom... Read more

Department of Homeland Security Seal.

'Expedited' investigation ordered over alleged ICE detainee hysterectomies

Sep 17, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The acting director of U.S. immigration services has ordered an expedited investigation into allegations that hysterectomies were performed on immigrant women in federal... Read more

'Lives have been turned upside down': Priest sets up crisis center for families after ICE raids

Aug 31, 2019

Fr. Mike O’Brien doesn’t speak Spanish, though he still speaks English with the Irish brogue of his homeland.  Read more

Apartment buildings in Dublin.

In Ireland, Catholic group warns of housing discrimination against migrants

Aug 15, 2019

A representative from an Irish Catholic charity has warned that discrimination against immigrants in the private housing market has forced... Read more

After US mass shootings, Mexican bishops denounce hate speech, xenophobia

Aug 6, 2019

In a recent statement, the Mexican bishops’ conference voiced “great sorrow” at recent acts of violence in both the U.S.... Read more

Pope Francis greets migrants July 6, 2018 after Mass for the anniversary of his visit to Lampedusa.

Pope Francis: Migrants are people, not just a social issue

Jul 8, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis called Monday for an end to the rhetoric which views migrants as something ‘other,’ saying they are human... Read more