US Bishops urge Catholics to aid immigrants

US Church leaders are urging Catholics to pray for, assist, and advocate for policy changes to help immigrants during the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The leaders criticized what they described as indiscriminate enforcement actions by federal immigration officials.

Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., stated in a homily on Sept. 27 that the suffering of undocumented people in the United States has been strategically magnified by the government over the last 18 months. He noted that children have been arrested, detained, and moved to centers with poor living conditions. McElroy cited the case of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, who was held for a month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers before a federal judge ordered his release. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery of San Antonio attributed the case to government efforts to meet daily deportation quotas that traumatize children.

Pope Leo XIV set the theme for this year's observance as "Even Just One of These Children," referencing the Gospel of Matthew.