The Catholic Church in Mexi-co 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. citizen-ship by birth right. 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 pra-yers, 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.”
“We are convinced that, united, we can offer hope to every-one,” the bishops said, empha-sizing their willingness to colla-borate 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.