As Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, we grieve the current situation being experienced by our brothers and sisters in immigrant communities across our country. As they have for decades, immigrants contribute to the economy by filling labor shortages, starting businesses, and paying taxes. They enrich society with new perspectives, traditions and skills. Many have specialized professions that fill critical roles in various industries. 

The disappearance of human beings through raids, detentions, and policies that treat human beings as threats rather than neighbors are unjust acts of violence and discrimination, and are against all we believe in as human beings and as children of God.

We have a moral obligation to offer refuge to those fleeing persecution, violence or the ravages of climate change and to ensure reunification of families who have been terrorized and torn apart, often without cause.

Faith without action is dead. Thus, we feel compelled to respond with courage by using our voices to stand unafraid and determined to speak out against the injustices endangering our immigrant sisters and brothers who only seek safety and peace in our country.

We believe in the call to welcome, accompany, advocate for and serve displaced people. Therefore, we urge our U.S. administration to honor our history as a nation of immigrants who built this country, and we affirm the longstanding call by U.S. bishops to reject the current anti-immigrant stance.  Our government officials should improve our nation’s asylum system, provide lawful pathways to citizenship for migrants and work with Congress to develop immigration reforms.

Pope Leo XIV reminds us: “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.” 

We Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ stand in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters, and we reject policies rooted in racism and fear.