Today, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the New Jersey Catholic Conference released a Letter of Pastoral Interest. The letter was authored by Bishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the United States Military Services and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

The bishops express their commitment to supporting immigrants in the United States, emphasizing their essential role in society. "Compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and recognizing the inherent dignity of each person as a child of God, we stand in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters who live and labor in these United States," they state.

They highlight immigrants' contributions to food security, health services, and other essential skills that support national prosperity. The bishops advocate for an immigration system that provides pathways to citizenship for long-term residents, relief for childhood arrivals, family unity measures, and a welcoming approach to refugees.

The letter calls for an effective asylum system and border policies focusing on safety while targeting societal risks like gang activity, drug flow prevention, and human trafficking cessation. They stress protecting vulnerable migrants victimized by criminal actors.

"Together," they urge, "we must speak out on behalf of the 'huddled masses yearning to breathe free' and ask our government to provide fair and humane treatment for our beloved immigrant brothers and sisters." They hope all parties can collaborate toward meaningful immigration reform.