Walking With Migrants

Weighing the Costs, Benefits of Migrant Restriction or Expansion

February 12, 2025

As we enter a new presidential term, the social policy question before our nation will largely be the restriction or expansion of immigration. A recent study succinctly put it in these terms: “Immigration has both advantages and disadvantages that must be considered. It provides economic benefits, fills labor gaps, promotes cultural diversity, and supports the global economy through remittances. However, it can also create pressure on public services, impact wages, and give rise to social challenges.”

Rethinking Immigration: An Alternative to Mass Deportation

January 15, 2025

Deportation is often seen as a last resort in enforcing immigration laws. It is not considered a punishment but rather an exercise of a government’s sovereign right to exclude from its nation whomever its laws dictate.

Post-Election Migration Perspective And the Implications for Policy

November 27, 2024

The results of the election and its effect on national migration policy will become evident over the coming months. It might be useful, however, to understand how this presidential election issue came to the forefront. In one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. public policy opinion, the last four years have shown a new public view of migration. In 2020, 28% of Americans told a Gallup poll that immigration should decrease.

Forming Your Conscience Heading Into the 2024 Election

October 17, 2024

On his return to Rome from Southeast Asia, Pope Francis was asked about whom he would vote for in the U.S. election. First, the Holy Father said he does not vote in U.S. elections, and then said, “Both are against life. The one who kicks out migrants and the one who kills children. In general, it has been said that not to vote is bad, it is not good. You should vote. You should choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil, that man or that woman? I do not know. Everyone should think in conscience and vote.” 

New Study on Catholic Attitudes on Migrants, Immigration, & Refugees

August 14, 2024

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), affiliated with Georgetown University, last month published a study on Catholic attitudes toward immigration, migrants, and refugees. It is a significant study, not just about attitudes on migrant issues but also about Catholic attitudes on other social issues. Catholic social teaching has been a concerted effort of the Church to apply moral teaching to everyday life issues. 

Do You Commemorate or Observe an Anniversary? It Depends on the Event

July 10, 2024

Do you commemorate or observe an anniversary? It all depends on how you see it, either as a positive or a negative event. This is the very case that we have today with the anniversary of the 1924 Immigration Act, which severely curtailed immigration from Southern and Eastern European countries as well as Asian nations.

The Immigration Decision: Legalization Or Deportation, The Choice Before Us

June 4, 2024

Public opinion on immigration has never been more negative. The latest Gallup Poll as of Feb. 24 shows that only 28% of the population is satisfied with the current immigration situation, making 72% dissatisfied. For comparison’s sake, it is the same percentage of dissatisfaction that the population has with public schools. 

Immigration and America’s Future Falling Prey to the Political Divide

May 7, 2024

What will America become? The migration issue we confront today will greatly determine our future self-awareness and identity as a nation. It cannot be denied that we are a nation of immigrants. The current negative national narrative on migration has been influenced by various attitudes, such as racism and the fear of the strangers, for sure, but most of all by a misunderstanding of the present migration situation.