As Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5, Pope Francis is urging Christians to examine their consciences by comparing their daily lives to the hardships faced by migrants, calling it a way to grow in empathy and discover God's call to compassion. "It would be a...
Since President Donald Trump issued a directive halting all foreign aid for a 90-day review, federal funding has been blocked for Catholic Charities programs across the U.S., affecting migrant and refugee service programs. Several Catholic Charities agencies across...
On Tuesday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) filed a lawsuit challenging the government’s unlawful suspension of funding for its refugee admissions program. The full legal filing is available here. Chieko Noguchi, the director of public affairs...
What is happening on immigration policy at both the federal and state levels? The latest MCC Messenger provides a general overview of the most relevant executive orders that have been implemented at the federal and state level, as well as of the bills that have been...
On Monday, Pope Francis published a letter addressed to the bishops of the U.S., urging them to keep serving migrants and refugees: “I recognize your valuable efforts, dear brother bishops of the United States, as you work closely with migrants and refugees,...
On Monday, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety heard two bills that address immigration issues: SB 58 and SB 72. SB 58, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-Joplin), would, among other things, create the “offense of aggravated illegal...
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement that urges the American government to reform the immigration system with “fair and humane treatment” of immigrants. The bishops called for an immigration policy that welcomes refugees and...
This week, President Biden signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2025, setting the number of people who can be resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) at 125,000. Although the goal remains unchanged from last...
Leading up to the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 29, the Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Migration Week from September 23 to 29, highlighting the challenges that migrants and refugees face when traveling from their country...
On Wednesday, President Biden’s administration implemented an asylum ban that will block migrants from claiming asylum at the Southern Border. Under this provision, authorities will quickly deport or send back to Mexico migrants who cross the border illegally without...