Hundreds of American Catholic leaders have signed a letter to the United States Senate asking that they refuse to fund either Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the current appropriations bill, citing a pattern of violence and destruction of family unity.
The letter is signed by at least 300 religious figures — including the San Diego Diocese’s Bishop Michael Pham and Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido.
“Yes, I believe that what I saw on the videos that DHS/ICE was doing to the citizens of the United States is horrible. If these videos are accurate, the funding should go to another area to improve humanity,” Pham said in a statement explaining why he added his signature to the letter.
It was also signed by Bishop-elect Ramon Bejarano, who is now in Monterey, but previously served in San Diego.
“Catholic social teaching affirms that the family is the basic unit of society, willed by God and deserving of protection in law and public policy,” the letter said, in part. “Recent immigration enforcement actions carried out under DHS authority have heightened our concern that this fundamental principle is being compromised.”
The letter details some of those actions — from shooting and killing peaceful protesters to ripping apart families through arbitrary detentions and deportations.
“We urge senators not to advance funding for Immigration and Customs enforcement and Customs and Border Protection in the current appropriations package,” the letter continued.
“We pray that your deliberations will be guided by wisdom and restraint,” the letter concluded. “May your decisions reflect a genuine commitment. to protecting families, upholding human dignity, and serving the common good.”
Updated 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 2026
