Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 22, 2025 / 13:14 pm (CNA).
In a new video, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has once again pledged his support for undocumented migrants.
“Let me be clear: The Church stands with migrants,” Cupich said in a video message on Oct. 21. Citing family separation and “communities shaken by immigration raids and detentions,” he said ongoing deportation efforts in Chicago “wound the soul of our city.”
Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on Standing with Immigrantshttps://t.co/KFVwvWH9CG pic.twitter.com/Tind9YGDWx
— Archdiocese Chicago (@archchicago) October 21, 2025
Cupich emphasized that “in the enforcement of the law, it is essential that we respect the dignity of every human being,” and noted parishes and schools in the archdiocese will neither turn away migrants seeking aid nor “be silent when dignity is denied.”
He continued: “I want to say something directly to those immigrants without documents: Most of you have been here for years, you have worked hard, you have raised families, you have contributed to this nation, you have earned our respect.”
“As the archbishop of Chicago, I will insist that you be treated with dignity,” he stated, concluding: “Americans should not forget that we all come from immigrant families. You are our brothers and sisters. We stand with you. God bless you all.”
The video message comes amid the “One Church One Family” initiative spearheaded by the western Jesuits to hold national days of prayer and public witness for migrants on Oct. 22 and Nov. 13, the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron of migrants.
The initiative calls on dioceses, parishes, schools, religious communities, and other Catholic institutions to host and promote “public actions that lift up the dignity of migrants,” such as “a vigil in front of a detention center, a prayer service at a place where migrants were publicly detained, or a rosary accompanying people who are going to immigration court hearings.”
The initiative’s website includes, along with other resources, instructions on how to organize and implement a vigil, prayer service, or march in support of migrants, which includes a welcome letter from Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas.
“As Catholics and people of deep faith, we reject the culture of fear and silence that dehumanizes, and we choose instead to stand with migrants,” the initiative’s website reads. “Together, our voices will send a powerful message in defense of the dignity of our neighbors, family members, fellow parishioners, classmates, co-workers, and friends.”
Cupich was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State on Oct. 15. It is unclear whether the post will entail a relocation to the Holy City.
During a visit on Oct. 9, Leo expressed his “appreciation” to Chicago leaders, including Cupich, for their “welcome of immigrants and refugees.” This came shortly after the controversy surrounding Cupich’s attempt to honor Illinois pro-abortion Sen. Dick Durbin with a lifetime achievement award for his work with immigrants.
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Why is it necessary to “welcome” those among the euphamistic label of migrants, who happen to be refugees from prisons?
Which people are fleeing prisons?
It’s all part of the progressive doublespeak that has dominated our discourse. It is both profoundly dishonest and deeply manipulative. A recent article I read said that 7 out of 10 of the 500,000 illegals arrested in the first months of Trump’s presidency have serious criminal records and histories of violence. That challenges the leftist narrative that illegals are “honest” and “hardworking.” Cupich should be supporting the rule of law and the safety of American citizens, but his ideological commitments prevent him from seeing the issue clearly.
It sounds like they’re arresting the right people then. Good for ICE.
I hope the other folks can be integrated through work visa or residency permits, etc.
“Americans should remember that we all come from immigrant families”.
Huh?
My family came legally.
But your family were still immigrants Miss Cleo?
Cupich is a refugee…from sanity!
Inner city-Chicago is crime-ridden and the areas where the immigrants are being located pretty much guarantee that the younger people will end up in street gangs, on drugs, or murdered.
I certainly agree that we need to welcome immigrants who intend to become American citizens–these people are a blessing to our country!. But we also have every right to turn away those who make it obvious that they intend to break our laws and live a life of violent crime. I lived in Northern Illinois most of my life and often had to drive into Chicago–the poor areas are very dangerous and very sad.
Perhaps Cardinal Cupich could mobilize more Catholics and others to help clean up the ghettos, vote for leaders that will work to stop the crimes (especially drugs) that are killing the young and old, imprison the gang leaders, and establish good schools in these areas–and THEN welcome the immigrants into the Windy City.