Standing in Solidarity with Immigrants and Refugees
As Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, we are called by our Franciscan values and Catholic teachings to recognize the inherent dignity of every human being, created in God’s image. Since adopting our Corporate Stand on Immigration in 1996, we have opposed unjust policies that restrict asylum, separate families, and marginalize the most vulnerable. Today, in 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and advocating for our undocumented immigrant brothers and sisters.
Our Franciscan tradition teaches us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who himself was a refugee, and to see Christ in all people, especially those who are vulnerable. The challenges faced by undocumented immigrants—including family separation, limited access to healthcare and education, exploitation, and constant fear—demand our compassionate response and concrete action.
We therefore:
- Affirm the fundamental dignity and rights of all immigrants, regardless of documentation status.
- Call for immigration policies that uphold family unity, human dignity, and the common good.
- Commit to providing pastoral care and support services to immigrant families.
- Stand against the criminalization of undocumented immigrants seeking safety and opportunity.
- Pledge to continue our education and advocacy for a just and humane immigration system.
Pope Francis, in his 2025 Jubilee declaration, reminds us that migrants must not be met with prejudice and rejection but with dignity and opportunity. We echo his call for justice and hope. As followers of Christ, we cannot remain silent. The Gospel of Matthew compels us: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35). We invite all people of goodwill to join us in building communities of welcome where all of God’s children can live in dignity, safety, and peace.
We call upon our government leaders to act with compassion, understanding, and fairness. We urge them to uphold the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore…” We also pray that our leaders reflect on the preamble to the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [men] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” We urge decisions that align with our country’s Constitution and deeply held values of “liberty and justice for all.”
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