“Because You Might Be Next”: Why Due Process in Deportations Matters to the Catholic Conscience 03-27-25
In moments of national anxiety—especially when safety and security are on the line—it’s natural to want swift action. We want leaders to protect us, laws to be enforced, and wrongdoers to be held accountable. That desire is not only understandable—it’s good. Every nation has the right and duty to protect its citizens and secure its borders. But as Christians, we must also remember that how we pursue justice matters just as much as why we pursue it.
That’s why the recent revival of the Alien Enemies Act—an 18th-century law now being used to deport immigrants without normal legal proceedings—should concern every person of faith, no matter their political leanings.
When Security Is Sought Without Justice
The administration’s use of this law has targeted individuals from nations labeled hostile—most recently Venezuela. While there are reports of gang activity among some of those deported, others have included students and legal residents, removed without the opportunity for a hearing, legal representation, or judicial review. The concern isn’t that the government is enforcing immigration law—it’s that it’s doing so without due process, something our Constitution promises to every person on U.S. soil, regardless of status.
Let’s be clear: the Church is not asking the government to ignore criminals. Public safety is essential. What the Church is asking is this: give each person a fair process. Because if we abandon due process for one group, it becomes easier to abandon it for others. Today it’s a non-citizen. Tomorrow, it could be someone who looks or believes differently. As the saying goes: What we allow for others can be used on us.
The Catholic View: Law Must Be Just to Be Lawful
Catholic social teaching affirms both the right of nations to secure their borders and the right of every human being to be treated with dignity. These two values must go hand in hand.
As the U.S. bishops have consistently taught, a fair and humane immigration policy must include due process, individualized review, and respect for families and communities.
Even someone accused of a crime has the right to defend themselves in court. How much more outrageous is it to deny that right to someone who may not have committed any crime at all?
It’s worth remembering that Jesus Himself was once part of a refugee family, fleeing Herod’s violence in the night. He was born into a world of political tension, border patrols, and military checkpoints. If our faith means anything, it means recognizing Him in the vulnerable—even those who look like threats to the world.
When We Let Fear Decide
We’ve seen before what happens when due process is abandoned in the name of security. During World War II, thousands of Japanese Americans—most of them citizens—were interned under the same law now being used to deport Venezuelans. No trials. No hearings. Just suspicion.It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.
Yes, we need border control. Yes, we need law and order. But law and order without justice becomes oppression. And justice without mercy becomes cruelty.
Why This Matters to You
Maybe you’re thinking: “But I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have nothing to worry about.”And that’s the point. The people affected by these actions were also, in many cases, legal residents, students, or refugees. They didn’t think they had anything to worry about either.
If we let our government sidestep the Constitution for them, it sets a precedent that could one day be used against you—or someone you love. That’s not a partisan warning. It’s a moral one.And moral clarity is the Church’s role, especially when politics cloud judgment.
As Catholics, we are not called to agree on every policy detail. But we are called to stand up when someone is denied their God-given dignity—especially when they’re denied the chance to speak or defend themselves. That’s what due process is. It’s the moral minimum for a just society.
The Measure of a Nation
The Gospel reminds us that how we treat the most vulnerable is how we treat Christ Himself. “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35).Whether an immigrant is here legally or not, whether they are innocent or accused, whether they can speak English or not—each one is a person. And every person deserves truth, justice, and a fair hearing.
Due process is not a political luxury.It is a moral necessity—the bedrock of a just society and a reflection of our Gospel values.
Because the person deprived of due process today may be a stranger.But tomorrow—it could be your neighbor.And someday, it could be you.
That’s why the recent revival of the Alien Enemies Act—an 18th-century law now being used to deport immigrants without normal legal proceedings—should concern every person of faith, no matter their political leanings.
When Security Is Sought Without Justice
The administration’s use of this law has targeted individuals from nations labeled hostile—most recently Venezuela. While there are reports of gang activity among some of those deported, others have included students and legal residents, removed without the opportunity for a hearing, legal representation, or judicial review. The concern isn’t that the government is enforcing immigration law—it’s that it’s doing so without due process, something our Constitution promises to every person on U.S. soil, regardless of status.
Let’s be clear: the Church is not asking the government to ignore criminals. Public safety is essential. What the Church is asking is this: give each person a fair process. Because if we abandon due process for one group, it becomes easier to abandon it for others. Today it’s a non-citizen. Tomorrow, it could be someone who looks or believes differently. As the saying goes: What we allow for others can be used on us.
The Catholic View: Law Must Be Just to Be Lawful
Catholic social teaching affirms both the right of nations to secure their borders and the right of every human being to be treated with dignity. These two values must go hand in hand.
As the U.S. bishops have consistently taught, a fair and humane immigration policy must include due process, individualized review, and respect for families and communities.
Even someone accused of a crime has the right to defend themselves in court. How much more outrageous is it to deny that right to someone who may not have committed any crime at all?
It’s worth remembering that Jesus Himself was once part of a refugee family, fleeing Herod’s violence in the night. He was born into a world of political tension, border patrols, and military checkpoints. If our faith means anything, it means recognizing Him in the vulnerable—even those who look like threats to the world.
When We Let Fear Decide
We’ve seen before what happens when due process is abandoned in the name of security. During World War II, thousands of Japanese Americans—most of them citizens—were interned under the same law now being used to deport Venezuelans. No trials. No hearings. Just suspicion.It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.
Yes, we need border control. Yes, we need law and order. But law and order without justice becomes oppression. And justice without mercy becomes cruelty.
Why This Matters to You
Maybe you’re thinking: “But I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have nothing to worry about.”And that’s the point. The people affected by these actions were also, in many cases, legal residents, students, or refugees. They didn’t think they had anything to worry about either.
If we let our government sidestep the Constitution for them, it sets a precedent that could one day be used against you—or someone you love. That’s not a partisan warning. It’s a moral one.And moral clarity is the Church’s role, especially when politics cloud judgment.
As Catholics, we are not called to agree on every policy detail. But we are called to stand up when someone is denied their God-given dignity—especially when they’re denied the chance to speak or defend themselves. That’s what due process is. It’s the moral minimum for a just society.
The Measure of a Nation
The Gospel reminds us that how we treat the most vulnerable is how we treat Christ Himself. “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35).Whether an immigrant is here legally or not, whether they are innocent or accused, whether they can speak English or not—each one is a person. And every person deserves truth, justice, and a fair hearing.
Due process is not a political luxury.It is a moral necessity—the bedrock of a just society and a reflection of our Gospel values.
Because the person deprived of due process today may be a stranger.But tomorrow—it could be your neighbor.And someday, it could be you.