20 February 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In recent days, many, including myself, have expressed concern regarding the proposed presence and use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities within our diocesan boundaries, namely in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. I write to you as your Bishop to offer pastoral guidance rooted in the Gospel and the rich social teaching of the Church.

The Catholic Church affirms the right of nations to regulate their borders and to enforce their laws in a just and orderly manner. At the same time, the Church proclaims with equal clarity that every human person, regardless of legal status, possesses an inviolable dignity, bestowed by God, which must always be respected.

Our faith calls us to hold these principles simultaneously. We must insist that immigration policies and their enforcement be carried out with humanity, fairness, and due process, especially when families and children are affected. Detention, when it occurs, must respect fundamental human rights and avoid unnecessary harm to the vulnerable.

I am particularly mindful of the anxiety experienced by immigrant families within our parishes and communities, including those who live with fear of separation or uncertainty about the future. The Church stands with you as a sign of Christ’s compassion and hope. We advocate for a pathway to legal status for those who are already here, contributing to American society and living among us peaceably.

I ask our clergy, parish leaders, and Catholic Charities to continue offering pastoral care, legal referrals where appropriate, and concrete assistance to those in need. I also encourage all the faithful to pray for wisdom for our public officials, for those who work in law enforcement and immigration services, and for all whose lives are touched by migration.

Let us remember the words of Our Lord: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” and “in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36). May this Gospel challenge our hearts, our conversations, our actions, and the decisions of our government officials, so that our Diocese may be a place where truth is spoken with charity and justice is always guided by mercy.

Entrusting our Diocese to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Migrant, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

✠ Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert
Bishop of Allentown