Dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

“One in twelve Christians in the United States—and one in five Catholics specifically—either face the risk of deportation or live in a household with someone who does.” The report one-part-of-the-body.pdf from the US bishops found that over ten million Christian immigrants in the United States are vulnerable to deportation, including those with temporary protections that could be withdrawn.

The Bible is clear that government is a gift from God which all people are called to obey (Romans 13:1-7). Respect for the rule of law is an important Christian principle. The administration of our laws should be done in ways that balance justice, compassion, redemption and proportionality. Deportation is only one of several ways in which this principle can be upheld.

The business writer Elliot Raphaelson, responding to false claims about the Social Security system, dealt with an immigration myth. “It has been claimed that illegal immigrants are receiving benefits they are not entitled to. That is false. People who are living in the United States without legal status are not eligible for Social Security benefits. What’s more, many of them who work in the United States are required to pay FICA taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, two programs from which they will never benefit as long as they are undocumented.” tribunecontentagency.com/article/the-savings-game-we-have-to-save-social-security/

Raphaelson cited a study that found that undocumented immigrants paid more than $25 billion in payroll taxes in 2022 Tax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants – ITEP. In other words, far from defrauding Social Security and Medicare, undocumented immigrants are subsidizing these programs. If they are deported, who will step in with $25 billion to subsidize Social Security?

In the Last Judgment, the Lord condemns the goats for the sins of omission. They failed to do for “the least brothers and sisters of mine.” He sends the indifferent goats to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). How must we treat the hungry, thirsty, sick, imprisoned, stranger and immigrant? The answer follows from another question. What would you do for your brother and your sister in dire circumstances? Answer: you would move heaven and earth for them.

The bishops’ report calls on all Christians to “recognize and respond to the human consequences of unmitigated deportation efforts.” Our bishops advocate a thoughtful compassionate approach to immigration policy that promotes justice, while also protecting the God-given dignity of every person and the sanctity of families. Protect both immigrants and the border. Protect them both.

Blessed Lent,

Father David