[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Video” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#054368″ height=”35px” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”35px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” max_height=”35px” max_height_tablet=”” max_height_phone=”35px” max_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”35px” height=”35px” max_height=”35px” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_button button_url=”http:\/\/dignity-of-work\/#newsletter” button_text=”Join our Newsletter” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600|||||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”2px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|50px|0px|50px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-family: %22Playfair Display%22″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”classic_socialism” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_margin=”10px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”classic_socialism” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_margin=”20px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Mosaic (3)” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||50px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Grid” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”M-3_grid” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (2)” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item2 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/An-immigrant-mother-and-daughter-smiling-at-the-camera.jpg” background_position=”center_right” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”400ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ filter_opacity__hover=”50%” custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n
Human Dignity<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (3)” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item3 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Playfair Display SC|900|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”3vh” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/A-female-employee-works-at-a-factory-making-home-textiles.jpg” background_position=”center_right” background_horizontal_offset=”15%” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” filter_opacity__hover=”50%” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n
Living in Moral Integrity<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (4) – Gap Fill” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item4 grid-item_gap-fill fade-text” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover=”50%”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (1)” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item1 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_font=”||||||||” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/A-group-of-undocumented-immigrants-and-custom-and-biorder-protection-officers-at-the-US-border.jpg” background_position=”top_center” text_orientation=”center” hover_transition_delay=”50ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ filter_opacity__hover=”50%” custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on” background__hover_enabled=”on” background_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.2)”] <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Rights of Immigrants and the Rights of Nations[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (4)” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item4 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_font=”||||||||” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Citizens-and-immigrants-hold-up-American-flags.jpg” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”500ms” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover=”50%” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n
There Must Be a Path to Reconciliation<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (5)” module_class=”M-3_grid-item M-3_grid-item5 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/An-ICE-officer-works-at-a-desk.jpg” hover_transition_delay=”50ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ filter_opacity__hover=”50%” custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n
Moral vs. Legal<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”10px||10px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” width=”81%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||20px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#EB7425″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”23px” custom_padding=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” width=”65%” custom_padding=”10px|20px|10px|20px|true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”10px|20px|10px|20px|true|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px|0px|10px|0px|true|false” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#eb7425″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||10px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#EB7425″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|0px||0px|false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_text_color=”#054368″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_text_color=”#054368″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American public life, and much of the debate collapses complex legal, moral, and political questions into oversimplified narratives.<\/span><\/p>\n Amidst this complexity, one fundamental question often emerges for those seeking moral clarity: <\/span><\/p>\n If someone entered or stayed in the United States illegally, have they committed a serious sin?<\/strong> The answer is not a simple yes or no.<\/span><\/p>\n U.S. immigration law is complicated\u2014and often contradictory\u2014Catholic social and moral teaching is nuanced, and real human lives hang in the balance.<\/span><\/p>\n This framework examines immigration through Catholic Social Teaching, while drawing on Catholic moral theology where questions of personal culpability arise.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Graffiti-on-a-blank-wall-that-reads-no-one-is-illegal-refering-to-the-immigration-crisis.jpg” alt=”Immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American public life.” title_text=”Graffiti on a blank wall that reads no one is illegal, refering to the immigration crisis” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”] [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_text_color=”#054368″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American public life, and much of the debate collapses complex legal, moral, and political questions into oversimplified narratives.<\/span><\/p>\n Amidst this complexity, one fundamental question often emerges for those seeking moral clarity: <\/span><\/p>\n If someone entered or stayed in the United States illegally, have they committed a serious sin?<\/strong> The answer is not a simple yes or no.<\/span><\/p>\n U.S. immigration law is complicated\u2014and often contradictory\u2014Catholic social and moral teaching is nuanced, and real human lives hang in the balance.<\/span><\/p>\n This framework examines immigration through Catholic Social Teaching, while drawing on Catholic moral theology where questions of personal culpability arise.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_id=”distinction” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#eb7425″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_popup_slug=”distinction” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”30px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_id=”adamant” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_popup_slug=”adamant” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”30px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A single person can face both tracks at once\u2014civil removal for unlawful presence and criminal charges for how they entered. This dual nature creates confusion and has significant implications for how we evaluate moral responsibility.<\/p>\n Additionally, civil violations are not crimes and the differences in rights and procedures between civil and criminal tracks create confusion and hardship.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Boone-County-Courthouse-in-Harrison-Arkansas.jpg” alt=”Most violations of immigration status are civil matters.” title_text=”Boone County Courthouse in Harrison, Arkansas” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”] [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Most violations of immigration status are civil matters. These include: [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/An-ICE-Deportation-Officer-conducts-a-check-on-detainees-during-a-repatriation-flight-to-Central-America.jpg” alt=”Certain immigration-related actions are considered crimes and are prosecuted in federal criminal court.” title_text=”ICE Deprtation Officer onboard ICE Air” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”] [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]Certain immigration-related actions are considered crimes and are prosecuted in federal criminal court. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”40px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||20px||true|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Graffiti-on-a-blank-wall-that-reads-no-one-is-illegal-refering-to-the-immigration-crisis.jpg” alt=”Immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American public life.” title_text=”Graffiti on a blank wall that reads no one is illegal, refering to the immigration crisis” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_text_color=”#054368″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”10px|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nCatholic Teaching on Law, Morality, and Undocumented Immigrants<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Legal Distinction Most People Get Wrong<\/span><\/h4>\n
U.S. immigration laws operate on two distinct tracks: civil and criminal<\/strong>. This dual structure is a source of considerable confusion and has significant practical implications.<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n
Why This Matters<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nCivil Violations<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
These are not crimes.<\/b> They are handled in immigration court. The penalty is usually deportation, not jail. There is no right to a free attorney. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nCriminal Violations<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nThese are prosecuted in federal criminal courts and can result in imprisonment.<\/p>\n