Over 1000 Catholic sisters sent a letter to President Biden urging him to fulfill his commitment to end expulsions of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border under the Title 42 health order by May 23. Maryknoll sisters were among the signatories.
May 4, 2022
Today, over 1000 Catholic sisters sent a letter to President Biden urging him to fulfill his commitment to end expulsions of migrants at the Southern border under the Title 42 health order by May 23.
“In light of the values that lie at the heart of our shared Catholic faith and the principles that are dear to our nation, we urge you to end Title 42 on May 23 and to restore the asylum system as soon as possible for the sake of our immigrant brothers and sisters and the well-being of the ‘soul of our nation,’” the sisters wrote.
The letter was sent in response to pushback from some members of Congress against President Biden’s plan to end Title 42 expulsions on May 23. While certain lawmakers are citing concerns about an overwhelmed border following the end of Title 42, the Catholic sisters referenced their own experience serving migrants at the border. They know that the U.S. has the ability and moral duty to welcome asylum seekers and they know that harmful Title 42 expulsions must end immediately.
“Many members of our congregations have witnessed firsthand the impacts of the misuse of the Title 42 health policy to expel migrants at the border without due process or consideration of their asylum claims” the letter stated. “The continued misuse of Title 42 fails to respect the dignity of migrants and refugees and to honor the image of God in every human person…Our Catholic partners at the border, including Catholic sisters working at migrant reception centers, are committed to working with the federal government to create… a humane, well-managed system of reception for migrants seeking asylum at our border.”
“Our faith calls us to seek justice and welcome the newcomer even when it is difficult,” the letter concluded. “Let us always seek to be a nation of welcome, a people of faith and conscience, committed to the common good.”
Photo: Catholic sisters gathered at a rally in Washington, DC, in December 2021 to call for the end of Title 42.