Backed by Pope Leo, Chicago Cardinal Slams Trump’s Immigration Raids

Cupich’s bold stand comes after Pope Leo urged U.S. bishops to speak clearly on immigration. Now the pressure is on the rest.

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Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich has released a striking new video message defending undocumented immigrants and affirming the Church’s solidarity with them.

In his statement, Cupich decries the human cost of aggressive immigration raids: “Families are being torn apart. Children are left in fear. These actions wound the soul of our city. Let me be clear. The Church stands with migrants.”

Emphasizing that the Church “will not be silent when dignity is denied” in the enforcement of immigration law, he insists that every human being be treated with respect.

Cupich speaks directly to immigrants, acknowledging their contributions and promising, “As the Archbishop of Chicago, I will insist that you be treated with dignity. You are our brothers and sisters. We stand with you.”

This compassionate message — delivered in both English and Spanish — sends a clear moral signal that the Catholic Church stands beside migrant families in their time of fear and need.

Papal Backdrop: Support and a Call to Action

Cardinal Cupich’s video comes on the heels of strong support from Pope Leo XIV.

Just weeks ago, some conservative bishops attacked Cupich for planning to honor a pro-choice Catholic politician, but Pope Leo publicly stood by the Chicago cardinal and widened the pro-life conversation beyond one issue, affirming that defending human dignity must include concerns like immigration and poverty.

Indeed, Pope Leo has implored U.S. church leaders to speak out “with one voice” against the cruelty of harsh immigration crackdowns.

The pope even became visibly emotional upon hearing migrants’ stories, insisting that “the Church cannot stay silent before injustice” and expressing frustration with bishops’ timid response to deportation raids.

By championing immigrants now, Cupich is essentially answering the pope’s call for bold, united moral leadership on this issue.

A Tale of Two Bishops: Cupich vs. Barron’s Silence

Cupich’s proactive stance also casts into sharp relief the silence of other prominent prelates — most notably Bishop Robert Barron. As I’ve previously written, Barron, one of America’s most famous bishops, has been conspicuously silent about President Donald Trump’s escalated ICE raids on immigrant families.

This silence is jarring, given Barron’s stature: here is a media-savvy bishop who has loudly weighed in on various issues, yet he has said nothing about the ongoing deportation crackdowns – even as federal agents have been sweeping up Catholic parishioners in their raids.

While clergy from Texas to Arizona — even in deep conservative areas – have bravely spoken up to shelter immigrant families, Barron’s continued quiet stands out.

His reluctance to defend migrant families has been seen as a leadership failure that risks suggesting the plight of immigrants doesn’t merit the same moral urgency as other issues.

In contrast, Cupich’s voice exemplifies the courage and clarity Pope Leo has urged. The cardinal is not only living out the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger, but also implicitly challenging his fellow bishops to break their silence.

Mounting Pressure on U.S. Bishops Ahead of Meeting

Cardinal Cupich’s video may prove a pivotal turning point. By publicly standing with migrants, this senior churchman has put the onus on more American bishops to do likewise — and soon.

His example is likely to embolden other hesitant bishops to finally break their silence, helping to form the united front on immigration that Pope Leo has called for.

In the wake of Cupich’s bold witness, it is easy to imagine dozens of other bishops issuing similar statements in the coming days and weeks.

The clock is ticking for the U.S. hierarchy to respond to Pope Leo’s urgent demand that the Church not remain silent. With the national assembly of U.S. bishops set for next month, the pressure is mounting.

All eyes will be on that gathering — and many expect Pope Leo’s ambassador to the United States to address this issue head-on — to see whether Cupich’s peers will echo his message of justice and compassion.

If Cardinal Cupich’s leadership is any indication, a new chorus of episcopal voices may soon rise in unison to proclaim that, truly, the Church stands with migrants.

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