The Catholic Church in Mexico reiterated its commitment to supporting migrants in the country after U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the U.S. southern border and tightening immigration policies.
Among the measures announced are the reactivation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, mass deportations, and an order seeking to eliminate U.S. citizenship by birthright.
In this context, the bishops of Mexico, through a statement signed by Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcía, head of migration ministry, and Bishop Héctor Mario Pérez Villarreal, secretary-general of the Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM), expressed “solidarity, our prayers, and our determination to continue serving migrants.”
“In the midst of a harsh winter, many people and families on the move are experiencing moments of anguish, pain, fear, and uncertainty in the face of the provisions of the United States federal government related to migration,” the bishops lamented.
However, they assured that they will continue to strive “so that in our homes, shelters, and reception centers [migrants] find shelter and food; support in caring for their physical, emotional, and spiritual health; assistance in contacting their families and obtaining the documentation they need; [and] legal advice and support for the procedures they need to carry out.”
Currently, the Catholic Church in Mexico has 54 shelters, 12 soup kitchens, and five information centers that provide direct help and that can be consulted on a map.
“We are convinced that, united, we can offer hope to everyone,” the bishops said, emphasizing their willingness to collaborate with authorities and civil organizations in the effort to “welcome, protect, promote, and integrate our migrant and deported brothers and sisters.”
The bishops also called on society to support the works of the Catholic Church and migrants and deportees.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, announced on Jan. 20 the “Mexico Embraces You” program, which seeks to integrate migrants through social programs. The strategy includes the so-called Tarjeta Bienestar Paisano (card for the well-being of fellow Mexicans), a card with funds totaling 2,000 pesos (approximately $100) to cover their expenses to return to their places of origin, as well as enrollment in the Mexican Social Security Institute to guarantee their access to health services.
Migration requires ‘humane and compassionate solutions’
Sheinbaum’s announcement is in addition to the one that the Primatial Archdiocese of Mexico shared in its weekly publication Desde la Fe (“From a Faith Perspective”) on Jan. 19, noting that “migration is a complex phenomenon that requires humane and compassionate solutions, and we cannot ignore the suffering of those who seek a better future far from their homelands.”
The Archdiocese of Mexico, which encompasses the capital, Mexico CIty, reiterated its commitment to “continue working to provide support and accompaniment to those who need it, regardless of the policies that are implemented.” The archdiocese emphasized that its mission is “to always be on the side of those most in need, defending their rights and their dignity.”
“Let us not be fooled by those who flaunt the banner of Catholicism but denigrate the vulnerable, promote the culture of death, or prioritize individualism,” the archdiocese warned, noting that “the Christian faith will always seek to fulfill the message of the Gospel, a message that does not exclude, that embraces everyone and that places special emphasis on those most in need.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
