Over the past year-and-a-half, over 100,000 migrants and asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City. Like many municipalities around the United States, especially those close to the southern border, our city has struggled to provide housing and other material assistance to those newly arrived. Since 1979, New York has agreed to provide shelter and a bed to anyone who requests it. This “right to shelter” policy has forced the city to find new places in which to house migrants, often within residential neighborhoods. Many New Yorkers are understandably concerned about the impact of this situation on local communities and public services. Those who peacefully express their concerns should not be denounced or demonized.
As Catholics, our response to this crisis is grounded in our faith and in the Church’s social teaching. Christ Himself told us that when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger, we do those things for Him. Our parishes and agencies have been doing just that for migrants and asylum seekers. Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens has taken the lead in providing material and legal support. We are proud of the work they are doing. Our parishes have banded together to provide material support at the local level and of course, most importantly, the spiritual support of Mass and the sacraments, especially in languages that are familiar to migrants.
In all these endeavors, we are grounded in our determination to protect and promote the dignity of every person that we serve. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church teaches us: “Every political, economic, social, scientific and cultural program must be inspired by the awareness of the primacy of each human being over society.” (132) Undocumented migrants are particularly vulnerable to assaults on their human dignity, especially at the hands of human traffickers and those who wish to exploit their labor.
The assistance that we provide to migrants and asylum seekers is separate from the political and social conversation surrounding our country’s immigration system. Some people misinterpret the Church’s care for individuals and groups as an endorsement of the conditions that have led to their arrival. One commentator recently went so far as to call Catholic Charities a “racket” for providing services to migrants at the southern border. This is an unjustified insult to an agency that does so much good throughout our nation and in our own area.
For decades, the bishops of the United States have called for comprehensive immigration reform. We have recognized that immigration policies that lead to millions of individuals entering and remaining indefinitely in the United States without legal status are neither compassionate nor sustainable. Neither do those policies serve the common good of those who call our nation home. Thus, an integral part of comprehensive immigration reform would include secure borders and the maintenance of law and order. Catholic social teaching has always recognized the right of each nation to regulate immigration according to the principles of equity and balance and to ensure the integration of migrants into society. Other aspects of reform would include an earned legalization program for undocumented migrants, increased permits for foreign-born workers, and efforts to address the root causes of migration from countries plagued by poverty and violence.
In our deeply divided country, immigration is one of many politically charged issues. Politicians from all parties at the federal, state, and local levels point fingers at one another about who is responsible for the current crisis. Compromise and productive debate and discussion to find solutions are harder and harder to find. The motives of those who seek to help individual migrants in need, such as Catholic Charities, are called into question.
How can we hope to come together as a society to solve these grave problems? We must deepen our commitment to another principle of Catholic social teaching: solidarity. This principle recognizes the interdependence of individuals and groups of people on the international, national, and local levels. As Pope St. John Paul II taught in his encyclical Solicitudo Rei Socialis, solidarity is “a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. That is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” (38) Only a society that is committed to the principle of solidarity can find solutions to the migration crisis and other challenges that we face.
The supreme model of solidarity is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became man, lived among His people, and offered His life to save us from our sins. Inspired by the Lord, we must seek to grow in our solidarity with everyone, especially those in greatest need of our material and spiritual support.
About Bishop Robert Brennan
This is a good article. It is clear that we need to have solidarity with the illegal immigrants; yet in doing so, this does not excuse ignoring the extremities of illegal immigration, of the 100s of thousands, now millions, crossing the border without regulation, order, pr proper process of law; permitting many criminals and others in the U.S.A.; encouraging people to come to the states, with the expectation of welfare from a country already reeling from deficits; and, the ensuring chaos. It is utterly immoral and disordered. No doubt the immigration laws need reform, but the Administration has the present lawful authority and option to regulate our borders in a sensible, well-ordered, manner.
It’s interesting and telling that writer John Keenan uses the inflamatory term ‘illegal immigrants’ – it’s one step farther from the proper descriptives ‘refugees’ or ‘asylum seekers’.
~ Sadly, mainstream media is using the still inaccurate term ‘migrants’ which still does not identify ‘why’ these many people are seeking asylum in our country – they are seeking refuge from the violence and chaos wrought by the presence of Russia and the Wagner Group. There are natural resources, oil and gold and other desirable goods to be had but at great threats from foreign powers.
I agree with the writer, Chris Nunez, that it is telling to use the term, “illegal immigrants.” It is the truth. Some are migrants, some are undocumented, and still others are refugees. Many cross the border are processed with no realistic intent of ever subjecting them to due process. Countless others cross intent on avoiding detection, and still others are criminals. The immigrants crossing the border are from all parts of the world, and some limitedly due to the presence of Russia and the Wagner Group, yet more so that they know the border is wide open. In addition to the drug trafficking that kills many American youngsters, the cartels broadcast the opportunity to cross the border and subject people to a crushing ransom for deliverance to the border. The U.S. is not the doorstep to the world. Yes, I believe it is good to care for those who are refugees and asylum seekers and to take care of them, but the onset of so many motivated for other illegitimate reasons imposes no moral or lawful obligation. Under the present law and if well-funded, immigration can be done lawfully and well-ordered to determined those who claim asylum legitimately or who are refugees.