“Today, I pray especially for migrant and refugee children, who carry fears and burdens that no child should have to bear. May we always welcome them, protect them, and walk alongside their families with compassion.”
– Archbishop Weisenburger’s statement for 2026 National Migration Week
National Migration Week
This week, September 21–27, Catholics across the United States observe National Migration Week, a time to reflect on the ways in which our country has been enriched by generations of immigrants. This year’s theme, chosen by Pope Leo XIV, is “Even just one of these children,” from Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” But this call to welcome and protect the vulnerable comes at a time when immigration enforcement is creating fear and uncertainty for many immigrant families and communities across the country.
On Sunday, an ICE officer shot and wounded a 28-year-old Venezuelan man who was delivering DoorDash in Austin, Texas. At the Broadview ICE facility outside Chicago on Saturday, federal agents pepper-sprayed 10 protesters, according to village officials. Two people were hospitalized. Two minors were reportedly pepper-sprayed during a Texas ICE encounter on Sept. 12. And on Sept. 8 an Arlington, Virginia man was hospitalized with a brain injury following an ICE-related vehicle chase.
The Trace, a nonprofit gun-violence investigative organization, is tracking gun incidents connected to the deployment of immigration agents. And the Human Impact Project, a living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact, collects individual stories of people impacted by U.S. immigration enforcement.
There are many ways to stand with our immigrant sisters and brothers. The following online actions offer opportunities to learn more, raise your voice and support efforts to protect the dignity and rights of immigrants and families:
- Stop ICE’s Killings | American Civil Liberties Union
- Lent’s ‘Crosses of Resistance’ — Sensitive Locations – NETWORK Lobby
- Urge Your Members of Congress to Pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act – CWS
- Urgent Action Network | Amnesty International USA
Did you know?
ICE is planning to spend up to two million dollars on Boston Dynamics “Spot” robot dogs for use in immigration enforcement and other law-enforcement operations. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the remotely operated robots would be used for inspection, surveillance and assessing potentially dangerous or difficult-to-access areas, keeping officers out of harm’s way. But the plan is raising important questions about privacy, surveillance, human oversight and how far we should allow technology to enter immigration enforcement. Boston Dynamics says its robots cannot be weaponized under its policies, but the company has also acknowledged the need for safeguards against misuse. Click here to email Boston Dynamics and tell them NOT to sell robot dogs to ICE.