Immigration; cause for debate among Catholics

Recently we had a little difference of opinion about immigration and our response as Catholics. As usual, good intentioned prayerful people came down on one side primarily based on politics. So here are some official Catholic teachings:

From the catechism: More prosperous nations are obliged to welcome the foreigner in search of security and means of a livlihood they cannot find in their home country. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them and to obey it's laws. # 2241

From the document "Strangers no longer; Together on the Journey of Hope" :


First, all persons have the right to find in their homeland the economic, political and social opportunities to live in dignity and achieve a full life by using their God-given gifts. In this context, sustaining life and family is a basic human need.

Second, when persons cannot find employment in their homeland to support themselves and their families, they have a right to seek work elsewhere. This right is not absolute; it must be based on reasons that are just. In today’s world, with poverty so widespread and overwhelming, migrating because of economic necessity in order to provide even the most basic of needs is presumed to be a just reason.

Third, sovereign nations have the right to protect and control their borders for the sake of the common good of their citizens. But this right is also not absolute. Nations also have an obligation to the universal common good, which extends beyond individual borders. The more powerful economic nations, such as the United States, have a greater level of this obligation, as they manage substantial resources for human needs and strive for greater accommodation of migration flows.

Fourth, those who flee wars and persecution, that is, refugees and asylum seekers, should be afforded protection by other, designated nations, including the United States.

Fifth, regardless of their legal status, whether authorized or unauthorized, documented or undocumented, immigrants, as well as refugees and all other persons, possess inherent human dignity, which is to be respected as a matter of common decency and Christian discipleship.

At the foundation of official immigration teaching by the Church are the ten fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching:

1. Dignity of the human person
2. Common Good & community
3. Option for the poor
4. Rights & resposibilities
5. Role of Government & Subsidiarity
6. Economic Justice
7. Stewardship of God's Creation
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
9. Participation
10. Global Solidarity and Development

Hopefully this can be a great start and prayerfully maybe we, as Catholics, and people of good will, will learn to turn down the rhetoric and speak and act as Christ asks His Church to do!