Aux. Bishop Dolan Issues Statement in Response to Announced Deportation Plans

(SAN DIEGO, July 12, 2019) — Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan, of the San Diego Catholic Diocese, issued the following statement today:

“There is news that broad immigration enforcement actions are imminent across the country, though the San Diego border region has not been mentioned as a target of them.

“The U.S. Catholic Church respects the right of nations to control their borders. However, this should be done in a way that is just and compassionate. The prospect of large-scale actions stokes panic, disrupting families and communities while not deterring unauthorized migration.

“We recognize that this is a difficult time in our communities.  We continue to stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters, regardless of their immigration status. We urge them to resist acting hastily on rumors, continuing to take care of their families as needed.

“And we urge them to take prudent steps. They should know their rights in this country. They can review a useful guide in English and Spanish on this site https://cliniclegal.org/resources/know-your-rights-law-enforcement, prepared by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

“They should prepare themselves and their families, many with U.S.-born children, for potential detention. Catholic Charities in San Diego offers a useful bilingual workbook that can be downloaded at emergencysafetyplan.org. Through this agency, our Church offers a wide variety of services for immigrants and may be reached Monday through Friday in San Diego at (619) 287-1270, in South Bay at (619) 498-0722 and in Imperial County at (760) 370-3914, and through the bilingual email of immhelp@ccdsd.org.

“Our Church continues to call for the Administration and Congress to work together to reform our immigration system in a way that is just and advances the common good.

“Our faith compels us to recognize that our Lord was both a refugee and immigrant during his time on earth, and to follow His example of compassion and love for our brothers and sisters in these difficult days.”