“Our fraternal closeness to you and other immigrants, refugees, and those seeking humanitarian asylum is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, where we find ‘I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me … Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:35,40),” the note published Monday reads. “We hear and empathize with families across the state who express anxiety and fear over mass deportations and harmful rhetoric that broadly demeans our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
In a pastoral note to migrants released in English and Spanish, all of the state’s 10 Catholic bishops said that supporting immigrants is rooted in their faith.
Michigan Catholics and faith leaders are actively protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, calling them inhumane and urging a reduction in agency funding. Organizations like Strangers No Longer have organized marches to Detroit ICE offices, citing concerns over raids, family separations, and the “dehumanization” of migrants. These efforts emphasize the need for protecting human dignity and advocating for more just, compassionate immigration policies.
Key actions and viewpoints from Michigan Catholics regarding ICE:
- Marches and Protest Actions: In July 2025, Catholics, including leadership, marched from the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Corktown to the Detroit ICE field office to deliver letters requesting a dialogue and opposing, what they describe as, disruptive enforcement practices.
- Criticism of ICE Tactics: Catholic leaders have condemned specific tactics, such as the use of unmarked, masked agents, and the detention of individuals who are not convicted felons.
- Moral Arguments: Leaders argue that current immigration policies cause fear and chaos in immigrant communities. They advocate for treating migrants with dignity, rooted in Catholic social teaching that emphasizes the right to migrate and the obligation to welcome the stranger.
- Call for Policy Changes: In early 2026, religious leaders in Detroit called on Congress to reduce funding for ICE, arguing that reform, such as requiring body cameras, is insufficient and that the agency’s actions are dehumanizing.
- Broader Solidarity: The movement includes, not only local parishioners but also, the Archdiocese of Detroit and interfaith partners who are advocating for a more just approach to immigration enforcement.