One immigrant’s story about the meaning of undocumented
There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, each with their own unique stories.
The Catholic bishop, who oversees major Southern California parishes, has officially allowed parishioners to formally miss the weekly public amid fears of immigration raids throughout the region.
Bishop of San Bernardino, Alberto Rojas, announced on July 8 that parishioners who have “real fear” about US immigration and customs enforcement attacks have been distributed from their obligation to attend the masses on other holy days, such as Sunday and Christmas. Rojas said, “Such fear constitutes a serious inconvenience that may hinder the spiritual good of the faithful.”
“In issuing this order, I am led by the Church’s mission to care for the spiritual welfare of all those entrusted to me, especially those facing fear and hardship,” Rojas wrote.
Such a parish-wide distribution is usually issued in response to a serious situation or in times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and social or political unrest. According to Roman Catholic Catechism, observers must attend Mass every Sunday and on the Holy Day of Holy Duties.
According to a national Catholic reporter, Rojas’ announcement comes after he detained immigrants last month on two of the parish’s parish property. A spokesperson for the Parish of San Bernardino told the newspaper that it occurred in Our Lady of Lourdes, Montreasure, California, where several men were detained in St. Adelaide Parish in Highlands, California, on June 20, and “long-time parishioners” were detained.
After his detention, Rojas said in a letter to the parish that the immigration enforcement action “creates an incredible amount of fear, confusion and anxiety for many.” The bishop urged civil servants to “rethink these tactics immediately and stop.”
“We have seen changes and increases in immigration enforcement in our area, particularly in our parish,” Rojas wrote in the letter. “The authorities are now indiscriminately seizing brothers and sisters without respecting their rights to legitimate procedures and their dignity as children of God.”
The Parish of San Bernardino in eastern Los Angeles was founded in 1978 and, according to its website, is the sixth largest parish in the United States. The parish says it serves around 1 million Catholics in 56.4% Latinos San Bernardino County and 52.5% Latinos Riverside County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Special orders come amid objections to Trump’s immigration agenda
San Bernardino’s commander comes amid growing opposition from Roman Catholic bishops across the United States over President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. Many bishops reflect the sentiment of Pope Leo XIV and the late Pope Francis, both criticizing Trump’s stance on immigration.
After taking office in January, Trump dropped long-standing federal policies against immigration enforcement in sensitive places such as schools and places of worship. Several religious groups have sued the Trump administration over a policy change in February.
However, in April, federal judges ruled over religious groups and refused to restrict the administration’s enforcement activities, according to Reuters.
After the 2024 presidential election, the Congress of Catholic Bishops said it was in “steady solidarity with immigrant brothers and sisters.” Several other Catholic leaders have also expressed solidarity with immigration, reported Nashville Tennessee, part of the USA Today Network.
The Parish of San Bernardino appears to have first issued a formal distribution over immigration enforcement. In May, the Nashville Diocese of Tennessee recommended caution about attending Mass, according to the state of Tennessee.
“We are extremely concerned that immigration enforcement activities in the Nashville area far exceed efforts to target individuals accused of serious and dangerous crimes,” the Nashville Diocese said in a statement to Tennessee. “Concerns about the lack of legal due process for those featured in our current environment create even greater fear within our community, including fears of being faced or detained while attending the masses of our parish and other events.”
Trump immigration crackdown in California
In recent months, the Trump administration has stepped up deportation efforts in California, promoting workplace immigration attacks, traffic stops and routine legal check-in. A string of attacks throughout Los Angeles County sparked violent protests in June.
After protests that predominately occurred in a small area of downtown Los Angeles, starting on June 6th, Trump took several quick actions, including calling 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines. The decision sparked anger from California officials who accused the president of stealing tensions and intensifying anxiety.
State and local officials have also repeatedly condemned federal immigrant attacks. Earlier this week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass denounced federal agents and National Guard troops for getting off at city parks.
Armored vehicles, cavalry and armed forces temporarily flocked MacArthur Park in Los Angeles’ Westlake area before leaving. Bass said 20 children were playing in the park, with the military surgently sharing footage of federal officials running through the park.
“Frankie, it’s ridiculous that there are armed federal vehicles when nothing is happening in our park, and not American,” Bus said at a July 7 press conference. “It’s outrageous and non-Americans that the federal government seized the state’s National Guard. It’s outrageous and Americans that there are US Marines trained to kill overseas soldiers deployed in American cities.”
Contributors: Christopher Kang and Anthony Robredo, USA Today; Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessee. Reuters
