Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez has condemned President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, calling it a form of “punishment” rather than policy. His criticism comes after Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests sparked by an aggressive increase in deportation efforts targeting undocumented immigrants in the city.
The deployment has faced widespread opposition, with both Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom voicing strong objections. Although a citywide curfew was lifted this week by Mayor Bass, tension remains high, particularly in immigrant neighborhoods. Reports of federal agents detaining individuals in public without warrants or clear evidence of their immigration status have caused widespread fear among residents.
Archbishop Gómez issued a heartfelt statement through Angelus News, expressing deep concern over the chilling impact of these actions on the city’s faith communities. “These actions are causing panic in our parishes and communities,” he wrote. “People are staying home from Mass and work, parks and stores are empty, and the streets are silent. Families are staying behind locked doors, out of fear. This situation is not worthy of a great nation.”
With Independence Day approaching, the archbishop reflected on America’s founding ideals rooted in religious scripture — that all people are created equal, with inherent dignity and rights. He lamented that current policies were undermining those very principles, which have long made the United States a beacon of hope for refugees and migrants worldwide.
Archbishop Gómez acknowledged past shortcomings in immigration enforcement but said that President Trump’s current approach lacks compassion and fairness. “The previous administration may have been too lax in border security,” he noted. “But the current administration offers no real immigration policy beyond mass deportations. This is not policy; it is punishment, and it is already producing tragic, unjust outcomes.”
He pointed out that many of those being targeted have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade. “The vast majority of ‘illegal aliens’ are hardworking people of faith, contributing to agriculture, construction, hospitality, and health care. They are good neighbors, active in our communities, churches, and charities.”
Calling for a new national conversation grounded in Catholic social teaching, the archbishop emphasized the importance of balancing border control with compassion and justice. He outlined several proposals, including deporting known terrorists and violent criminals with full due process, improving border security with technology, and helping employers verify the legal status of workers.
He also urged a renewed commitment to legal immigration reforms, prioritizing family reunification and skilled labor. Most importantly, he called for providing a path to legal status for long-term residents, starting with the Dreamers — those brought into the country as children and protected under the DACA program.
“These are not new ideas, but they are the beginning of a better conversation,” Gómez said. “It’s time we stop fighting in the streets and start talking again — with reason, dignity, and moral clarity.”
His statement echoes growing calls for humane immigration reform and greater care for the millions of undocumented people living in the shadows of American society. As the nation debates the future of immigration policy, voices like Archbishop Gómez’s continue to push for solutions that uphold both the rule of law and the dignity of every human being.