Cardinal McElroy slams U.S. immigration policy as 'moral theft' at national conference
A national conference on migration policy took place on 24 March 2023, organised by Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and the Center for Migration Studies of New York. Cardinal Robert McElroy, newly installed as Archbishop of Washington, delivered a strong critique of current immigration approaches while outlining alternative solutions.
The event also addressed legal disputes over the government's decision to end a refugee resettlement contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cardinal McElroy presented two clear options for U.S. immigration policy. The first involved securing borders while treating migrants with dignity and offering a generous asylum system. The second, he warned, risked becoming a punitive campaign against undocumented people.
He condemned mass deportations, arguing they forced families to live in constant fear. He also called the suspension of USAID funding for humanitarian aid a form of 'moral theft' from the world's most vulnerable. Despite his criticism, he acknowledged that efforts to reduce irregular migration could still align with Catholic social teaching if carried out humanely.
The conference explored broader challenges in migration policy through the lens of Catholic values. Meanwhile, Cardinal Fabio Baggio of Bassano del Grappa, Italy, joined a solidarity rally, march, and prayer vigil for migrants in El Paso, Texas, on the same day. The discussions highlighted tensions between enforcement and compassion in U.S. immigration policy. Legal battles over the terminated refugee resettlement contract remain unresolved. Cardinal McElroy's remarks underscored the need for solutions that balance security with moral responsibility toward migrants.
