Mass Deportation is Antithetical to the Gospel: A Call for Compassion and Evangelization
On the first day of Donald J. Trump’s presidency, one of his most significant actions was to initiate the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. For many, this was a fulfillment of one of his campaign promises, but for others, especially the Christian community, it became a moment of deep reflection and concern.
The U.S. bishops, alongside other church leaders, have consistently taken a stand on immigration, stressing the importance of respecting human dignity and the sanctity of the family. The Justice for Immigrants campaign, which has been in place for more than 20 years, reflects the church’s nuanced position on immigration. This stance is neither about “open borders” nor strict restrictions, but about finding a balanced and compassionate approach to addressing the issue.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, cited on the Justice for Immigrants website, underscores the obligation of prosperous nations to welcome foreigners in search of security and a livelihood. The church teaches that public authorities must ensure the natural rights of individuals, treating immigrants with the same respect and protection they would offer a guest in their home. Despite these clear teachings, many Americans seem unpersuaded, with polls showing widespread support for increased border security and the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
This divide between the church’s teachings and the views of many in the U.S. reflects a larger failure to engage the culture effectively. As Evangelii Nuntiandi, the apostolic exhortation by Pope Paul VI, points out, evangelization is central to the church’s mission. Evangelization is not limited to preaching and catechesis but involves a comprehensive conversion of hearts, both personal and collective. The church must actively engage in transforming the societal conscience, which includes addressing issues like immigration with compassion and justice.
Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, emphasizes the need for a “missionary impulse” that can transform every aspect of life, including our treatment of the marginalized and the poor. He challenges the church to be a “church for the poor,” recognizing that those most vulnerable, such as migrants and refugees, have much to teach us. In his call for a compassionate church, Pope Francis reminds us that true evangelization involves meeting people where they are and loving them without expecting anything in return.
The urgency of this mission is reflected in the call for action regarding the suffering of migrants. This is not just a political issue but a deeply spiritual one. True Christian life calls for both prayer and active engagement with those in need, particularly in areas where they are suffering due to harsh immigration policies. This includes immediate actions, such as lawsuits to stop unjust deportation practices, as well as long-term efforts aimed at transforming hearts and minds toward greater compassion.
One of the most powerful ways the church can respond is by fostering direct encounters between parishioners and migrants. Media reports and second-hand stories are not enough to create lasting change; real transformation comes when individuals experience the struggles of others firsthand. The church must facilitate these face-to-face encounters, creating spaces where compassion and solidarity can flourish.
As theologian Roberto Goizueta writes in Christ Our Companion: Toward a Theological Aesthetics of Liberation, to know the truth is to participate in the lives of those who are suffering. Immigrants, many of whom have faced unimaginable hardships, are modern-day representations of the wounded body of Christ. As such, they must not be ignored or discarded. Instead, we are called to stand in solidarity with them, following the example of those who have already committed their lives to serving migrants, such as Sister Norma Pimentel and Bishop Mark Seitz.
Even for those not living near the border, the call to stand with migrants is universal. Undocumented immigrants live throughout the country, and the church must continue to offer its support, whether through advocacy, prayer, or direct action. As Jesus commands in the Gospel of John, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (13:34). It is through this love that the world will know that we are his disciples.
Mass deportation is the opposite of love. It mirrors the story of the Good Samaritan not by showing mercy but by casting aside the wounded traveler. As Christians, we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. We must stand with our brothers and sisters, especially those who are most vulnerable, and advocate for their rights and dignity. Deportation is antithetical to the Gospel, and the church must act to protect those who are being unjustly separated from their families and communities.
