USCCB Statement on Religious Worker Visas

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued the following statement regarding recent changes to the Religious Worker Visa Program:

“We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve. The value of the Religious Worker Visa Program and our appreciation for the efforts undertaken to support it cannot be overstated. This targeted change is a truly significant step that will help facilitate essential religious services for Catholics and other people of faith throughout the United States by minimizing disruptions to cherished ministries.

“In order to provide the full extent of the relief needed and truly promote the free exercise of religion in our country, we continue to urge Congress to enact the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act.”

A Message from the Bishops of Orange on Religious Worker Visa Changes

Under the previous federal rule, many priests would have to leave the United States for a full year before they could reapply for a religious worker visa, which could significantly disrupt parish life and ministry. This new rule removes that requirement, allowing religious workers to return without a mandatory time outside the country, as long as all other visa requirements are met.

We are grateful for this commonsense change. Without it, several of our priests would have been forced to step away from their ministries, creating hardship for our parishes and communities they faithfully serve. In fact, because of this update, one of our priests who is currently outside the country can now begin the process of returning to ministry here in our Diocese, an encouraging and real blessing for our local Church.