Bishop-designate Michael Pham, who was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Diocese of San Diego, sent a letter encouraging diocesan clergy and faith leaders to appear at a federal courthouse later this month and “stand in solidarity” with migrants and refugees facing immigration hearings.
In the June 11 letter signed by Pham and Auxiliary Bishops Ramon Bejanaro and Felipe Pulido, the bishop-designate invited all diocesan priests and lay faith leaders to commemorate “World Refugee Day” on June 20 by attending federal court hearings with migrants and refugees who are facing deportation. Since President Trump returned to the White House, the U.S. bishops have repeatedly made statements criticizing his administration’s immigration policies and in turn have been criticized for their alleged aiding of illegal immigration.
“We know that migrants and refugees find themselves in the difficult predicament of being called to appear, which is what the government asks of them, and then being given orders for expedited removal from our country,” Pham’s letter read.
“This group of priests and faith leaders will simply be present during this process as it has been experienced that the presence of faith leaders makes a difference in how the migrants are treated,” the letter continued. “Unfortunately, it will most likely not change the outcome.”
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