5/1/23, 8:00 PM U.S.

Bishops’ Migration Chairman Addresses New Regional Migration Mitigation Efforts | USCCB

U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman

Addresses New Regional Migration
Mitigation Efforts
April 28, 2023

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and

U.S. Department of State announced a series of actions being taken in
response to the anticipated end of the Title 42 public health order on May 11
and increased migration throughout the Western Hemisphere. The
government’s measures include doubling the number of refugees resettled from
Latin America and the Caribbean, establishing regional processing centers in
several countries, and intensifying immigration enforcement efforts. Bishop Mark
J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’
(USCCB) Committee on Migration, issued the following statement in response:
“We strongly support increased refugee resettlement from Latin America and the
Caribbean as a reliable pathway to lasting safety for those who have been
forcibly displaced. Therefore, we commend the Biden Administration for
recognizing this need and look forward to its close coordination with civil society
and Congress to ensure the successful integration of these newcomers.
Importantly, the resources utilized for this purpose should not undermine
existing access to resettlement for other refugees or impede the proper
functioning of immigration processes generally.
“While we are relieved that the Administration does not plan to detain vulnerable
families, given the unjustifiable and immoral harms of doing so, we are greatly
concerned that such families, including those with young children, and others
will be subjected to rushed proceedings without meaningful due process. We
remain equally concerned that the Administration is still committed to coupling
its reliance on expedited removal with severe restrictions on asylum eligibility
and access. Once again, those who will bear the brunt of these measures are
those most desperately in need of relief—those whose lives hang in the
balance. Fundamentally, asylum exists for persons forced to flee because of
potentially life-threatening situations. Bad actors who knowingly spread
misinformation and prey on the vulnerable must be brought to justice, but we
implore the Administration to respect the rights and dignity of persons urgently
seeking safety at our border.

https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-addresses-new-regional-migration-mitigation-efforts 1/2
5/1/23, 8:00 PM U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Addresses New Regional Migration Mitigation Efforts | USCCB

“No combination of legal pathways or harsh enforcement measures will suffice

to meet the complex challenge of forced migration facing our country and
hemisphere. Only through a long-term commitment to addressing root causes
and promoting integral human development throughout the Americas, combined
with an overhaul of our immigration system, will we be able to achieve the
conditions necessary to sustainably reduce irregular migration.”
Last month, the USCCB submitted formal comments in response to
proposed restrictions on the right to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
###

MEDI A C O N TA C T S:

Chieko Noguchi
202-541-3200
Email Me

https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-addresses-new-regional-migration-mitigation-efforts 2/2