Statement of Archbishop Alexander K. Sample on recent ICE activity in Oregon
November 8, 2025
By Archbishop Alexander K. Sample,
Portland Archdiocese
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, praised be Jesus Christ!
It is with a heavy heart that I address all of you, my dear people. My heart is heavy because of the continued fear and anxiety that runs through the community of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in this Archdiocese. This is due to the increased ICE activity within our communities, even now in the vicinity of some of our parishes.
As I address all of you, I am attending the annual meeting of the United States Bishops in Baltimore, Maryland. I want to assure our Hispanic brothers and sisters that the shepherds of the church in the United States are working diligently to advocate for their humane and respectful treatment. We are doing all that we can to alleviate this suffering.
As your Archbishop and spiritual father, I wish I could remove this cross from you. But I want to assure you that I am deeply concerned over what you are experiencing right now, along with all of your local parish priests. I know this is a great burden for them as well, because they feel helpless to take this cross from you.
It does not matter whether some of our brothers and sisters have proper documentation or not. They are our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, and have a human dignity that comes not from government, but from our loving God. Please know that I and your pastors stand with you in solidarity during this difficult time.
To all of my brothers priests who are caring for our people during these difficult times, I want to assure you of my support and prayers. We are in this together to uphold the dignity of every human person, every child of God.
I ask all of us to lean on the love that Jesus has for each one of us. He alone is our hope, and in him alone do we trust. He is with you always and will never abandon you. Place yourselves in his hands. All of you are deeply in my prayers each and every day. God bless you! Viva Cristo Rey!
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