Immigration and Human Dignity Needs Moral Clarity

By Joseph Carvalko | 11 October 2025
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(Credit: Joe Carvalko)

I’m not a practicing Catholic—not because I reject the teachings of Christ, but because the institutional Church has, too often across centuries, including the 20th Century, betrayed those teachings through its complicity in the most egregious human rights violations. Yet I still believe in the moral vision attributed to Jesus: the sanctity of human dignity, the triumph of kindness over cruelty, and each of our obligation to protect the vulnerable.

These are values that transcend religion. They are the bedrock of any humane society, and in the case of Americans, a shared aspiration of moral behavior.

Today, Christian Nationalists distort that vision. Their rhetoric and policies—especially around immigration—stand in opposition to the Gospel’s call to welcome the stranger. Their support for militarized deportation forces, like ICE under Trump, reveals a theology of exclusion, not compassion.

Pope Leo’s recent message to U.S. bishops offers a stark moral contrast. He urged them to speak out forcefully against deportations and to act in unity for the protection of migrants. His words were clear:

1. Those who condone inhumane treatment of immigrants contradict the very essence of a pro-life ethic. 2. Every migrant should be welcomed as if welcoming Christ himself. 3. Immigrants are “missionaries of hope,” bringing resilience and renewal to our communities. 4. Aid groups deserve praise for embodying Christian values of mercy and justice.

This is not just a pastoral appeal—it reflects a moral indictment of policies that weaponize faith to justify cruelty. Pope Leo’s stance continues Pope Francis’ critique of U.S. immigration policy, calling for economic equity and social justice rooted in Christian ethics.

We should demand answers from every elected official: How will Trump and his Christian Nationalist allies reconcile their actions with the Church’s teachings? How long will they invoke Christ’s name while rejecting his message? This is a moment demanding moral clarity.

For those of us who still believe in the dignity of every human being, regardless of faith or origin, the path forward is clear: resist the hypocritical hijacking of Christianity, especially for right-wing political ends.

Joseph Carvalko is an American lawyer, who for over four decades has represented numerous organizations and individuals, from billionaires to indigents. He has been actively engaged in organizations such as Amnesty International, as its Legislative Coordinator for the State of New Mexico; the Sioux City American Indian Center, board member/activist; and Chair Emeritus of the Technology and Ethics working research group, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, Institution for Social and Policy Studies, Yale University, and Adjunct Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University, School of Law, teaching Law, Science and Technology. He has also worked as a technologist, where he’s been awarded 18 patents in various fields. Carvalko has authored over twelve books which include novels, poetry, law, science and the humanities. His articles appear regularly in a variety of publications and blogs. He lives on the U.S. east coast and in the New Mexico mountains.

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