The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Department of Migration and Refugee Services has partnered with the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to develop a report analyzing the profound impact that mass deportations could have on Christian families and congregations across the country. The document is titled “One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families” and was published this week. To read the full report, click here.
According to the report, one in twelve Christians in the U.S. either faces the risk of deportation or lives in a household with someone who does. For Catholics in particular, the proportion is even higher, with one in five facing this danger. Another key finding of the report is that most immigrants vulnerable to deportation identify as Catholic: 61%.
In the introductory letter, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, along with the leaders of the partner organizations, states the following: “The administration of our laws should be done in ways that balance justice, compassion, redemption and proportionality. Deportation is only one of several ways in which this principle can be upheld. While this report does not discuss or evaluate alternatives to deportation, several thoughtful approaches have been proposed that would offer unauthorized immigrants opportunities to earn legal immigration status. These proposals should be part of the immigration policy debate.”
To learn more about immigration policy and the Church’s position on the issue, please visit the MCC website.