By Lavoisier Fernandes –
It’s been a good number of years since I legally migrated to the United Kingdom. Recently, while visiting my home state of Goa in India, I had a conversation with our honest, hardworking and long-serving family gardener, Raju, who had migrated from Bihar, another state in India, with his young family.
Though Raju and I had different migration journeys—mine international, his domestic—we found common ground as immigrants, both contributing to filling labour shortages, addressing economic gaps, and adding cultural diversity in our respective locations.
As migration continues to shape the world, the topics of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants have become some of the most polarising and emotionally charged issues of our time. These discussions often ignite debates over job security, the allocation of healthcare resources, cultural identity, brain drain and national security.
In developed nations, discussions often focus not just on the benefits immigrants bring, but also on the perceived challenges. Some view them as a strain on resources, unfairly associating all immigrants with criminality, while others acknowledge them as vital contributors to economic and cultural development.
In India, this debate has even made popular culture, with the Netflix Hindi film Dunki highlighting the term “donkey flights” – a Punjabi term to describe illegal immigration—depicting the struggles of those seeking better lives in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Recently, the debate around migration reached a new level when the United States began deporting illegal immigrants in shackles to countries like Colombia and India, sparking outrage and widespread discussion.
According to a 2019 Pew Research Centre study, an estimated 3.9 to 4.8 million unauthorised immigrants were living in Europe in 2017, making up about 1% of the continent’s population.
In 2022, approximately 725,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants were living in the U.S., making up 6.6% of the undocumented population. This statistic places India as the third-largest source of illegal immigration, following Mexico and El Salvador.
However, this is an issue affecting all societies and nations, regardless of the specifics of each migration story. The statistics also highlight the growing complexity of the issue and the pressure on countries to balance national security with humanitarian concerns.
While immigration policies are hotly debated and polarising, the Catholic Church’s teachings offer a moral framework for addressing these complex issues.
What Does the Church Say About Immigration?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2241), immigration involves two essential moral duties that must be upheld equally.
The first duty is to welcome migrants with compassion, respecting their human dignity. Every individual has the right to seek a better life, and governments—especially in wealthier nations—are called to honour this right as much as possible. Authorities are responsible for ensuring that migrants seeking security and opportunity are treated with care and given proper protection.
The second duty is to safeguard national borders and uphold the law for the common good. Sovereign nations have the right to regulate immigration through fair legal channels. In turn, immigrants must respect the culture, laws, and social responsibilities of their new country. These two duties must be carefully balanced to promote justice and social harmony.
Why Is Human Dignity Foundational in Immigration, Regardless of Status?
Human dignity is a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching, especially in the context of immigration. The Church teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), and therefore, every individual possesses inherent dignity that must be respected and protected, regardless of their immigration status.
The Church emphasises that all individuals have fundamental rights—such as the right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness—regardless of their legal status. Moreover, it stresses a moral duty to protect the poor and vulnerable, particularly immigrants fleeing violence, persecution, or economic hardship.
So, to the Church sees a just society where everyone can live with dignity and reach their full potential. By advocating for immigrants’ rights, the Church calls for a world in which all people can contribute to and share in the common good.
So, Is Deportation Immoral?
The issue of deportation in light of Catholic teachings on human dignity and social justice is both complex and nuanced.
While the Church does not explicitly label deportation as immoral, it insists on a just and humane approach to immigration enforcement that upholds human dignity.
The Church suggests that any immigration policy, including deportation practices, should reflect values of compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity and should avoid practices that:
- Dehumanize immigrants—whether legal or illegal—through hostile rhetoric or by implying they are anything less than children of God, made in His image and likeness.
- Detain immigrants indefinitely or deny them basic human necessities while in custody.
- Permanently separate families, particularly children from their parents, unless the child is at risk of abuse.
- Use excessive violence in law enforcement, except when necessary to protect lives.
What Alternatives to Deportation Does the Church Suggest?
Guided by its principles of human dignity and social justice, the Catholic Church presents various alternatives to deportation, emphasising compassion and fairness, as highlighted by Pope Francis in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship.
- Pathway to Legal Status
The Church supports creating pathways for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status, fostering stability and integration for those who have lived in a country for a long time and contributed to society.
- Family Reunification
It advocates for policies that prioritise family unity, ensuring families are not separated by deportation and facilitating reunification for those in different countries.
- Asylum and Refugee Protection
It calls for strong protections for asylum seekers and refugees, emphasizing the moral obligation to offer safety and support to those fleeing persecution and violence.
- Community-Based Alternatives
The Church promotes community-based alternatives to detention, allowing individuals to stay in their communities while their immigration cases are processed, providing legal support and resources.
- Comprehensive Immigration Reform
It advocates for addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty and violence, through comprehensive reform and investments in development in migrants’ home countries.
- Education and Advocacy
The Church encourages education and advocacy to raise awareness about the challenges immigrants face and to promote policies that treat them with dignity and respect.
A Compassionate Approach to Immigration Policy
In a world marked by the struggles of migration, we are reminded by Pope Francis of the example set by the Holy Family. Just as Mary, Joseph, and Jesus sought refuge as migrants fleeing danger and persecution, we are called to show compassion and solidarity with all who seek a better life.
The lessons of the Holy Family—vulnerability, resilience, and hope—should guide our approach to immigration policies. As Pope Francis urges, we must treat migrants with dignity, respect, and compassion, upholding their human rights regardless of their legal status.
Immigration is more than just a political matter; it’s a moral issue rooted in our common humanity, and it’s unfair to paint all immigrants as criminals.
Just as Raju and I, despite our differing backgrounds, found shared purpose as immigrants, so too can societies bridge divides through policies rooted in compassion and respect for human dignity.
It is in embracing the biblical call to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:42-46), that we are reminded that in doing so—we uphold the dignity of all and reflect the core values of love, justice, and peace.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.
