We are a community of religious women founded by German immigrants in the 1800s, who first arrived in Chicago to provide education for the children of recent immigrants.
The neighborhood of Rogers Park in Chicago – which we have called home for nearly 120 years – has long supported and nourished immigrant families as they settle and find their new community and home in the United States.
Our community's 2013 Statement In Support of Immigrants reads:
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, stand as a corporate body in support of comprehensive immigration reform, which seeks to restore basic rights to persons who come to the United States to work and/or feed their families.
We approve policies which guarantee that the family unit is not destroyed and which defend persons on the move for reasons of persecution and war.
We commit ourselves to prayer, to attentiveness to local and national policies and their implementation, and, as we find it possible, to support actions aimed at promoting the dignity and well-being of those seeking the opportunity for productive lives in our nation.
On February 2, 2025 the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses shared their Statement on Immigration, with which we agree:
In the spirit of the Gospel and the inspiration of St. Benedict we, as members of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses (CBP), representing more than 1100 sisters, commit ourselves to Christ-like hospitality.
Therefore, we call upon our leaders, especially governors, state legislators, members of the United States Congress, and our president to reconsider proposed immigration policies and to work towards solutions that uphold the dignity and rights of all people. We urge them to create pathways to citizenship for immigrants, provide humane treatment for those in detention, and ensure that immigrant families are not torn apart. In addition, we commit ourselves to work with other organizations who are advocating and caring for migrant peoples.
As Benedictine sisters, we are inspired by the life and teachings of St. Benedict. In the sixth century time when he lived, travelers and pilgrims were often met with violence on the road and sought refuge in his monasteries. Benedict was inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to receive all who came seeking refuge. He modeled his life on that of Christ who received the poor, the lame, the outcast, and the stranger.
St. Benedict quoted Jesus who said, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). For centuries, men and women have continued to be inspired by St. Benedict’s example of Christ-like hospitality and his teaching that all people who present themselves are to be received as Christ. May we and all people, in our time, do the same.
We echo the remarks of Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, in his January 2025 statement regarding immigration:
The Catholic community stands with the people of Chicago in speaking out in defense of the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers… we would oppose any plan that includes a mass deportation of U.S. citizens born of undocumented parents.
Government has the responsibility to secure our borders and keep us safe. We support the legitimate efforts of law enforcement to protect the safety and security of our communities… But we also are committed to defending the rights of all people, and protecting their human dignity.
…we would also oppose all efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other government agencies to enter places of worship for any enforcement activities.
The choice is not simply between strict enforcement and open borders… Pope Francis spoke of the need to balance migration governance with regard for human rights and dignity. “We are quick to forget that we are dealing with people with faces and names.” The Holy Father has also been clear that “no one should be repatriated to a country where they could face severe human rights violations or even death.” This is not idle speculation. Millions of migrants flee their homelands for safer shores precisely because it is a life or death issue for them and their children.
People of faith are called to speak for the rights of others and to remind society of its obligation to care for those in need. If the indiscriminate mass deportation being reported were to be carried out, this would be an affront to the dignity of all people and communities, and deny the legacy of what it means to be an American.
We pray for those in positions of power, that they may lead with compassion.
We continue our commitment to our immigrant neighbors. We stand with you and will stand up for you and help preserve your human dignity.
