Trump administration changes rule affecting foreign-born religious workers in United States
The Trump Administration has announced a regulatory change that will affect foreign-born religious workers in the United States. The new Interim Final Rule, soon to be published in the Federal Register, amends existing requirements for those holding religious worker (R-1) visas. Previously, these individuals were required to leave the country for at least one year after reaching their maximum five-year stay before they could return on a subsequent R-1 visa. The updated rule removes this minimum time requirement, allowing eligible religious workers to return without a mandatory waiting period.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, expressed appreciation for this development: “We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve.”
The change is intended to support religious workers and the communities that rely on them while these individuals await legal permanent residency—a process that can take several decades. The USCCB has advocated for such changes over multiple years due to hardships faced by faith organizations and rural communities when religious workers are forced to leave.
The Archdiocese of Philedelphia is among those affected by such policies as it serves Catholics across five Pennsylvania counties through various ministries focused on faith education, community outreach and social services according to its official website. It maintains more than 200 parishes and operates programs including nutritional aid and counseling. The Archdiocese centers its activities around the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul while promoting Gospel teachings and outreach efforts.
Additionally, agencies like Nutritional Development Services and Catholic Social Services provide community support under its direction (official website). With a reach extending over 1.3 million Catholics in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties (official website), such regulatory adjustments may have significant impact on local ministries’ ability to continue serving their populations.
For years, interfaith partners have joined with Catholic leaders in advocating for this specific regulatory modification since 2023.
Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Cahill issued a joint statement regarding today’s announcement: “We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve.”
