David Agren

Catholic migrant ministries of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras have called for an end to deportations during the COVID-19 crisis, saying the practice exposes an already vulnerable group to health and security risks — especially those sent summarily to countries of which they are not citizens.

At least 138 Salvadorans have been murdered after being sent back to their violent Central American country from the United States, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

The secretary-general of the Mexican bishops' conference expressed dismay at the sight of Mexican security forces scuffling with a caravan of Central American migrants trying to enter the country via its southern border with Guatemala.

Christian Brother James Miller was beatified Dec. 7 in Guatemala with a celebration on the soccer fields of the same school he once served.

A pro-government mob entered the cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, damaging property, attacking hunger strikers inside the building and jostling a priest and nun.

The Mexican bishops' conference called for calm and reflection after well-armed members of a drug cartel descended on the city of Culiacan and forced Mexican security forces to release the son of convicted cartel kingpin Joaquin Guzman Loera, known as "El Chapo."

Three new dioceses have been carved out of the Archdiocese of Mexico, a move Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said will bring pastors "closer to the all the inhabitants."

Sunday Mass Aug. 11 at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Guatemala City included prayers for the two candidates running in that day's runoff election and the country's outgoing president.

The increased enforcement has put Catholic-run shelters in the crosshairs of a Mexican administration anxious to show the United States it's keeping up its end of the bargain.

The Franciscan-run migrant shelter La 72 has welcomed a steady stream of migrants since opening its doors in 2011. It has also endured a steady stream of harassment — from politicians and police officers, immigration officials and even organized crime.

A priest in Mexico City has been arrested for murder barely a week after he celebrated a funeral Mass for the victim.

The Mexican bishops' conference questioned the details of a deal in which Mexico will strengthen security along its southern border with Guatemala and impede the path of migrants fleeing poverty, violence and food insecurity.

The Mexican bishops' conference has appealed for assistance for thousands of migrants stuck in Chiapas state as Mexican officials step up enforcement and stop issuing travel documents.

Pope Francis has donated $500,000 to assist migrants attempting to travel through Mexico, but who are increasingly being impeded by Mexican officials from reaching the U.S. border.

A Nicaraguan bishop said he will leave the country indefinitely as concerns for his security increase – presumably the product of his criticisms of the Central American nation's president.

The Mexican bishops' conference has presented an action plan for protecting minors from sexual abuse by clergy and pastoral agents.

Bishops from both sides of the border and Catholics working on migration matters convened a special meeting in El Paso Feb. 25–27 to plan their responses to the implementation of U.S. immigration policy, such as metering, in which migrants wanting to apply for asylum face long waits in insecure Mexican border cities as some U.S. ports of entry accept fewer than 15 claims per day.

The Mexican bishops' conference has confirmed 152 priests have been removed from ministry for sexually abusing minors.

Asylum-seekers arrive at legal ports of entries the length of the U.S.-Mexico border, but increasingly face long waits to lodge their petitions with U.S. officials, forcing them to spend weeks or months in unsafe Mexican border cities.