Adobe Stock
Archbishop José H. Gomez recently called for a new national conversation on immigration — one that makes “moral and practical distinctions” and offers a path forward for millions living in uncertainty.
In a June 17 article for Angelus News, the archbishop of Los Angeles urged Americans to return to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence — that all people are created equal, with rights given by God that no government can take away.
“Based on these truths, this nation has become the most prosperous, most diverse, and among the most hopeful, innovative, and generous that the world has ever seen,” the archbishop wrote. “But today our nation’s historic commitment to these truths is under fire in the confrontations over illegal immigration playing out in Los Angeles and cities across the country.”
He said reports of federal agents detaining individuals in public spaces without showing warrants have sown fear throughout immigrant communities.
“These actions are causing panic in our parishes and communities,” he wrote.
According to the archbishop, many are avoiding daily routines, skipping Mass and work, while public spaces and neighborhood streets have gone quiet.
“Families are staying behind locked doors, out of fear,” he said. “This situation is not worthy of a great nation.”
>> ICE detains individuals outside Catholic, Evangelical churches in California <<
Archbishop Gomez acknowledged past failures in immigration enforcement but sharply criticized the present approach.
“We may agree that the previous administration in Washington went too far in not securing our borders,” he wrote.
However, he said, the current administration “has offered no immigration policy beyond the stated goal of deporting thousands of people each day.”
“This is not policy, it is punishment, and it can only result in cruel and arbitrary outcomes,” Archbishop Gomez said.
He reminded readers that the US has long been “a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom and refuge from oppression,” a reputation built on its historic commitment to moral truth.
Archbishop Gomez also noted that most illegal immigrants, including “Dreamers,” have lived in the US for many years and are deeply embedded in American life.
“The vast majority of ‘illegal aliens’ are good neighbors, hardworking men and women, people of faith,” he said.
He laid out a series of moral and practical proposals, including: deporting violent criminals with due process, tightening border security with verification tools for employers, reforming legal immigration to prioritize families and needed skills, and restoring protections for genuine refugees.
Above all, he called for a path to legal status for those already contributing to the nation, starting with Dreamers.
“These are not new ideas, but they are the start of a new conversation,” the archbishop concluded. “And it is time that we start talking again and stop fighting in our streets.”
>> USCCB, Catholic Charities USA under federal investigation regarding immigration assistance <<
