Refugees are often seen through a political lens, writes Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, but the crisis at the Mexico border should remind us of the church’s essential ministry to those fleeing violence and poverty.

Though an about-face by the Biden administration brought welcome news to advocates for refugee resettlement, the process raised concerns about the political calculus at work.

In April the Census Bureau estimated that from 2010 to 2020, the U.S. population grew at the slowest rate since the 1930s and at the second-slowest rate in the nation’s history.

Pope Francis on Thursday denounced “aggressive” nationalism that rejects migrants, and said Catholics should follow the Gospel-mandated call for a welcoming church that doesn’t distinguish between “natives and foreigners, residents and guests.”

As President Biden marks 100 days in office on Thursday, leaders of Catholic organizations say that they are grateful for signs of progress but caution that more is needed to fulfill campaign promises.

The tough psychological situation confronting migrants started prior to the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January, but it has continued under his administration.