California’s Catholic bishops stand behind undocumented immigrants

Alejandrina Vazquez, an immigrant from Guatemala, cares for flowers adorning the Virgin of Guadalupe shrine outside the Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. California’s Catholic bishops have released a statement expressing their support for undocumented immigrants facing threats of mass deportations. The statement was issued on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, considered by many Latino groups as a powerful symbol of their faith and cultural identity. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

LOS ANGELES – California’s Catholic bishops have expressed their support for the state’s undocumented immigrants as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to roll out his mass deportation plan.

“We, the Catholic bishops of California, as shepherds of the flock of Christ, have seen and heard the growing distress among you, our migrant brothers and sisters,” they said in a statement.

“We want to assure you that we, and our mother, the Church, stand with you in these days of anxiety. You are not alone.”

California is home to approximately 2.6 million undocumented immigrants – including 152,000 Filipinos – according to the Migration Policy Institute, but immigrant rights advocates believe the numbers are much higher.

The statement was issued on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, considered by many Latino groups as a powerful symbol of their faith and cultural identity.

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The bishops said they realize that the calls for mass deportations “have created genuine fear for so many we shepherd in our dioceses.”

“Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the sacred dignity of every person, we commit to accompanying and walking in solidarity with you, our migrant brothers, sisters, and families through this uncertain time,” they said.

“We will shepherd you spiritually, gather information and resources, and continue to advocate for your dignity and family unity.”

California Catholic Bishops call on us to follow the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:34) by showing compassion for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Read their full letter on immigration here: https://t.co/K93MaNNivh #CAleg #California #Catholic… pic.twitter.com/AZ5RzGy2MR

— California Catholic Conference (@CACatholicConf) December 12, 2024

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also released a national message reaffirming their support for immigrants.

“Throughout the life of our nation, we have seen at times unacceptable demonstrations of prejudice and hatred, including in recent days mass communications targeting people of color and disparaging comments about immigrant communities,” the USCCB said.

Immigrant rights advocacy groups, including the Pilipino Workers Center, have hosted know-your-rights trainings to teach immigrants how to protect themselves and their families from Trump’s mass deportation plan.