Catholic Bishops of Mexico and United States on Migration

“The Church recognizes the right of a sovereign state to control its borders in furtherance of the common good. It also recognizes the right of human persons to migrate so that they can realize their God-given rights. These teachings complement each other. While the sovereign state may impose reasonable limits on immigration, the common good is not served when the basic human rights of the individual are violated. In the current condition of the world, in which global poverty and persecution are rampant, the presumption is that persons must migrate in order to support and protect themselves and that nations who are able to receive them should do so whenever possible.”

Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope. A Pastoral Letter Concerning Migration from the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the United States. November 2002

Immigration Resources

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Migration and Refugee Services. www.usccb.org/mrs. The U.S. Catholic bishops’ official site for immigration and refugee related information. Includes Church teaching and official statements.
  
  
• Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope. The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ This web-site seeks to educate and mobilize Catholics and others of good faith in support of a broad legalization program and comprehensive immigration reform.
  
  
• U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics www.uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics. This office of the Department of Homeland Security offers not only data, but a glossary of legal terms, a brief history of immigration law and more.