National Migration Week 2026

September 21–27, 2026

For over 45 years, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week (NMW). This is an opportunity to reflect on our history as an immigrant Church and the ways in which our country has been enriched by generations of immigrants, including the many Catholics who have adopted this land as their own. It is also an occasion to grow in appreciation of the challenges faced by migrants and refugees, both in the United States and beyond, and to express solidarity through prayer, accompaniment, and advocacy. 

This year, NMW takes place September 21–27. It will culminate with the Universal Church's annual commemoration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on the last Sunday of the month (September 27).

Pope Leo XIV chose "Even just one of these children" for this year's WDMR theme, which is a reference to Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” When this theme was announced, the Vatican noted, “With this choice, the Holy Father intends to express the Church’s concern for minors directly involved in migration, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us.”

In solidarity with the Holy Father, NMW will use the same theme as WDMR, emphasizing the ways in which this theme and its application to the migration question is important for the Church in the United States.

Several resources are available below to assist local communities with commemorating NMW and WDMR. 

Resources

USCCB Resources
Vatican Resources
Other Resources

Another concrete way to commemorate National Migration Week/World Day of Migrants and Refugees is by signing The Cabrini Pledge and inviting others to join you:

Even Just One of These Children | Bishop Cristiano Barbosa

Even Just One of These Children | Bishop Cristiano Barbosa

Bishop Cristiano Barbosa, auxiliary bishop of Boston, member of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, and an immigrant from Brazil, shares how immigrants have shaped the Church in Boston and how Catholics can respond to the child in our midst.

U.S. Catholic Bishops' Special Message on Immigration

U.S. Catholic Bishops' Special Message on Immigration

At their November 2025 Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops of the United States voted nearly unanimously to adopt a special message on immigration. It marked the first time in twelve years the U.S. bishops invoked this method of speaking.