In a recent article from November 2025, a group that favors immigration restrictions said: “Politicians, business leaders and activist groups have long exploited this issue for their own advantage.” As the article continues, it could have added to that list the Catholic Church from pope, bishops, priests, and laity.
There are fundamental misunderstandings regarding Church teaching on the social issue of migration. The article extensively covered what the Catechism of the Catholic Church stated regarding migration, namely, the use of prudence in making judgments about complex social issues. However, the article does not cite the teaching that comes from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, which is much more extensive and the result of over a century of experience.
The recent comments by our Holy Father, Pope Leo, clearly stated the need for compassion in the enforcement of immigration laws, as did the U.S. bishops’ statement issued in November. Catholic social teaching is clear that nations have a right to protect their borders. But that must be balanced by a judicious sharing of resources when migrants seek refuge.
The underlying causes of irregular migration, however, have not been addressed. While it is acknowledged that some individuals have benefited from this process, there has been no clarification regarding why updates on existing immigration law or solutions, which could allow the influx of necessary workers in agriculture, health care, hospitality, and other industries, have not been provided. The virtue of prudence means that we must make competent judgments based on facts. The adverse effects of irregular labor are borne mostly by the migrants themselves, who are sometimes exploited by having to work without benefits.
Protecting the labor market requires employer cooperation and thorough vetting of potential workers, rather than simply enforcing employer sanctions. Both workplace and border security are necessary and are really inseparable. Our nation benefits from irregular labor migration and cannot turn its back on those workers who helped us prosper.
However, there is a deeper, more nefarious motive for anti-immigrant policies. It is the motivation to restrict immigration, to keep America, as it once was or at least has some thought it to be, a white nation. The reforms of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 opened migration to the United States from the whole world. We have seen migration from all continents, which has made the United States a more diverse and stronger nation. Unity is not a matter of sameness; rather, it is diversity that can strengthen the fabric of any country when all parties seek democratic goals. It is unfortunate that, as a nation, we do not see this opportunity for unity but rather emphasize its division.
Objections to following the advice of the Church on immigration matters center on the role of the faithful, whose proper role is to be involved in the public forum. Without an authentic interpretation of Catholic social teaching, however, some could fail to understand what the real teaching is about — understanding the common good and basic moral principles.
As we enter a new year, we are given an opportunity to reflect on the facts of the matter. Justice for immigrant workers, with or without documents, is an absolute necessity for strengthening the fabric of our nation and our commitment to the American ideal of justice for all.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who served as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, is continuing his research on undocumented migration in the United States.