Catholic and Evangelical Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Immigration

On October 13, 2026, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) released a joint statement, "A Call for Christian Compassion and Wisdom in the Immigration Debate." This five-page document marked the first time senior leaders from both traditions formally collaborated on an immigration statement[1][17]. The statement directly addresses the immigration policies of the Trump administration, highlighting concerns about access to sacraments for detained migrants[1][18].

This joint declaration represents a unified front from a significant segment of American religious leadership. It challenges the Trump administration's immigration enforcement, which could influence public discourse and policy directions regarding the treatment of migrants and refugees[1][2][6].

What the records show

The joint statement was co-authored by Bishop Brendan Cahill, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Rev. Walter Kim, President of the NAE[17][18]. The document states their shared conviction to support American citizens and immigrant neighbors[18][28]. It advocates for immigration reform that includes preserved border security, practical pathways for legal immigration, and measures to promote family unity, asserting these are consistent with the common good[18][28]. The statement specifically calls for strict limitations on the detention of nonviolent migrants and guarantees of access to chaplains for all those in custody[19][28]. The Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration (ECDI), a joint initiative of the USCCB and NAE launched in March 2026, developed the statement through a formal process of discernment and collaboration[22][25][28].

The timeline

Donald Trump began his second term as U.S. President on January 20, 2025, following his victory in the 2024 presidential election[14]. In late September 2025, the Department of Homeland Security under President Trump rescinded Biden-era guidelines that required approval for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests at "sensitive locations" such as churches, hospitals, or schools[3]. The Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration launched in March 2026[28]. On October 1, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case concerning the administration's mandatory detention policy for long-term immigrant residents[4]. The joint statement was released on October 13, 2026[1]. On the same day, the Trump administration implemented a new interim final rule making it easier to strip resettled refugees of their legal status without due process[6]. Since January 2025, U.S. immigration authorities have detained at least 65 religious figures[2]. At least five U.S. Catholic bishops have publicly denounced the administration's immigration enforcement practices[5].

What changed and for whom

This joint statement marks a significant shift because it is the first time senior leaders of the Catholic and evangelical traditions in the United States have formally issued a unified message on immigration policy[1][17]. This collaboration brings together two historically distinct religious communities to advocate for a shared vision of immigration reform, focusing on compassion, family unity, and due process for migrants[18][28]. The statement aims to influence national policy regarding detained migrants, refugee legal status, and enforcement actions that have led to the detention of religious figures[2][6][19].

What the administration has said publicly

President Trump's administration began its second term with a robust immigration enforcement agenda[2]. The Department of Homeland Security, under President Trump, rescinded prior guidelines in September 2025 that protected "sensitive locations" from ICE arrests[3]. The administration introduced a new interim final rule on October 13, 2026, designed to make it easier to strip legal status from resettled refugees in the U.S. without due process[6]. These actions reflect a commitment to expanding immigration enforcement efforts[2].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm if the Trump administration has issued a direct public response to the joint statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals. The specific reasons or charges leading to the detention of the 65 religious figures by U.S. immigration authorities were not detailed in the provided records[2].