Are they really Christian?
The Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies have been criticized by a religious advocacy group for conflicting with Catholic social teaching. In its report titled “Bad Samaritans,” CatholicVote outlines the ways in which human trafficking, failure to enforce immigration laws, false asylum claims, and political corruption — all resulting from the current administration’s immigration stance — violate the principles of Catholic social teaching.
The first part of the report references the philosophy of Pope St. John Paul II, who defined patriotism as a deep love for one’s homeland, its culture, and its people. The report draws from his book Memory and Identity, emphasizing that protecting one’s country is a moral duty. According to CatholicVote, the Biden administration has not fulfilled this duty, as evidenced by its failure to effectively manage the U.S.-Mexico border and uphold immigration laws.
The report argues that the administration’s rhetoric, which portrays the U.S. as merely an “idea” rather than a tangible homeland, strays from John Paul II’s teachings. It also highlights the vice president’s failed efforts to curb illegal immigration, despite her appointment to address its root causes. While Harris warned migrants against coming to the U.S. in 2021, CatholicVote asserts that millions arrived nonetheless, with many remaining unlawfully.
CatholicVote further claims that the crisis at the southern border harms both U.S. citizens and migrants worldwide, feeding into human trafficking and other criminal activities. The report quotes religious teachings to underscore that immigration policy must consider the common good, not just of a single nation but of the global community.
The report also addresses the issue of fraudulent asylum claims, arguing that these undermine the integrity of the asylum system and harm those with legitimate claims. Finally, CatholicVote raises concerns about potential political corruption, suggesting that illegal immigration might be used as a strategy to bolster a political party’s voter base, a scenario it argues would violate Catholic doctrine.