On Mass Deportations and Pope Francis' Letter
A few days ago, Pope Francis sent a letter to U.S. bishops condemning the mass deportations carried out by the Trump administration.
In his message, the Supreme Pontiff urged people "not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters," reigniting a moral and political dilemma that, while not new, continues to spark intense debate in society.
Jesus was not indifferent to these issues. It is no coincidence that he declared, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s." In an ideal system, earthly law would reflect the principles of divine law, as human-made rules should be a manifestation of reason and truth—that is, of God. However, reality presents us with a constant tension between these two orders.
On one hand, U.S. immigration law criminalizes illegal entry to maintain security. On the other, Pope Francis appeals to principles of love, dignity, and respect for others. Is it possible to reconcile adherence to the law with compassion and justice?
In his letter, the Pope recalls Pope Pius XII’s Apostolic Constitution on the Care of Migrants, which highlights the Holy Family as a model and source of comfort for those forced to flee their homeland. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees in Egypt, escaping the wrath of a tyrannical king. But why should we praise Egypt’s policies while ignoring the cruelty of the wicked king? Why did no one act to overthrow a ruler who caused so much suffering? Why did other leaders fail to intervene and put an end to his tyranny?
At that time, there was no international community capable of coordinated responses, nor were there instant communication networks that allowed political and religious leaders to speak out against the world's injustices. Yet today, despite having these tools, many still choose silence.
When advocating for the protection of migrants fleeing extreme poverty, violence, exploitation, or persecution, we rarely question with the same intensity the governments responsible for creating such crises. This leads to a cycle of misplaced blame, in which only those who fail to provide help are condemned, while those whose mismanagement has forced people into migration remain unaccountable.
Language, designed to describe reality, is often uncomfortable or even painful. Christian doctrine recognizes suffering as a means of growth and transformation. In this sense, calling someone a criminal for committing a crime is legitimate within a legal framework. However, this does not mean a person should be reduced to their wrongdoing. Actions do not entirely define an individual, especially when there is room for repentance and redemption.
For example, no one would hesitate to call Saint Paul a criminal before his conversion, when he persecuted and killed Christians. Yet this did not stop Jesus from looking at him with love and transforming him into one of the greatest apostles because of his willingness to change.
To build bridges and tear down walls, as Pope Francis urges, we must first strive to create a world that is healthy and welcoming—starting with the governments whose incompetence forces their citizens to seek a better life elsewhere.
Let us look at migrants with the same compassion Jesus had for Saint Paul: with charity for those facing hardship, but also with truth—because no one can love what they do not know. Only through love and honesty can we draw closer to our neighbors and heal the wounds that some leaders, through action or inaction, have inflicted on our society.
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