Catholic social teaching reminds us that solidarity and the protection of human life are not optional tenets of faith but foundational calls to action for the common good.
The Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids supports CLINIC’s stance in rejecting rhetoric and actions that dehumanize, and in responding by affirming human dignity, building compassionate communities, and advancing justice for all.
What Can You Do?
In this moment of collective sorrow, CLINIC calls on our community of faith and all people of goodwill to:
- Pray for healing for those injured and harmed by immigration enforcement violence.
- Offer comfort to families who mourn lives lost, known and unnamed.
- Uphold the right of people to peacefully protest and bear witness to law enforcement actions without fear of violence.
- Reach out to your members of Congress to advocate for oversight and accountability for DHS personnel actions and harmful policies.
- Demand transparent, independent investigations and accountability for all use of lethal force.
- Advocate for policies rooted in justice, mercy, and respect for the dignity of every human being.
CLINIC Denounces Escalation of Violence by Federal Immigration Authorities
SILVER SPRING, Maryland – The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) condemns the escalation of violence in immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis and across the United States, including the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal enforcement agents, both captured on video and deeply troubling to faith communities and people of conscience alike.
“These killings, of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and the deaths of others in ICE custody whose names never make headlines, are stark reminders of how far our immigration enforcement policies have strayed from core principles of human dignity and justice,” said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC executive director. “We uphold the right to peacefully protest and to bear witness to actions by law enforcement; we reject violence in all its forms and recommit ourselves to the Gospel call to protect life, welcome the stranger, and build systems grounded in compassion, human dignity, and peace.”
Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis shared, “While we rightly thirst for God’s justice and hunger for his peace, this will not be achieved until we are able to rid our hearts of the hatreds and prejudices that prevent us from seeing each other as brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God”
We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, to the loved ones of migrants who have died in federal custody, to the broader communities affected by these events, and to the CLINIC Affiliates who walk with them each day.
These tragedies echo the broader, ongoing reality that migrants in ICE custody around the country have died under concerning circumstances, often receiving little public notice or transparency — families and communities deserve accountability and full recognition of these losses.
