Bishops urge policy for National Migration Week

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill is calling on U.S. lawmakers and officials to create policies that protect the dignity of migrants and prevent families from being separated. As chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Cahill issued the statement on Sept. 16 ahead of National Migration Week, which runs from Sept. 21 to 27.

Cahill noted that current protections for migrants are being weakened by factors such as decreased access to legal representation and longer stays in detention. He urged governments and communities to maintain a high level of care for this population. The observance concludes with the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

Cahill, who currently leads the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, was recently named by Pope Leo XIV as the new bishop of Joliet, Illinois, according to an announcement by Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the United States. In his statement, Cahill also expressed gratitude to caregivers, social workers, pastoral staff, and law enforcement officers who work for the safety of migrants.