By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted July 23, 2025

In a July 23 pastoral letter, Archbishop Nelson Pérez expressed deep sorrow and prayerful solidarity, calling on Catholics to unite in support of the migrant community and advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. (Leer en Español)

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“Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Recent news reports detailing the arrest of immigrants throughout the country, including the Philadelphia region, have produced a great deal of fear and unleashed a broad range of other emotions. These events have impacted the migrant community in deeply troubling ways. I am witnessing your sorrow with great sadness and concern as are people of goodwill from all walks of life.

As the son of immigrants, I have found recent events particularly heartbreaking. Today, I write to express my prayerful solidarity, and that of our local Church, with you. You are not alone. The Church is a community of faith, and the divine person of Christ, who was forced to flee his homeland as a child, holds you in his compassionate arms.

As Catholics, we believe our eternal homeland is heaven, and that as citizens of earth, the dignity of every person means everyone should have a safe place to live, with the opportunity to work for a just wage. Many of you came to the United States seeking new opportunities far away from oppressive regimes and endured difficult and dangerous circumstances to start life anew here. Your presence and your contributions to society through hard work and upright living are a blessing to our country and to our Church. No one should be forced to live in fear of unjust persecution.

I encourage you to remain close with the members of your parish communities and the priests who provide you with pastoral care.

We recognize that our country is rightly safeguarded by law enforcement officials. They uphold the common good by protecting all of us from human trafficking, the exploitation of children, and any other criminal offense against human dignity. At the same time, we strongly advocate for immigration policies that guarantee the protection of life, liberty, and property of all those who call the United States of America home, natural born citizens and those working toward citizenship alike.

While there is no instant solution to the challenges pervading immigration policy, I urge everyone in parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors.

The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph cared for the child Jesus in the mystery of the flight into Egypt and their intercession is with us today. I pray with you and for you that you experience the protection of God.

May our Lord bless our country with peace and inspire comprehensive immigration reform that respects the law and provides meaningful opportunities for all those who wish to call the United States of America their home.”

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia