The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties, has issued a statement on the treatment of migrant youths at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bishop Edward Weisenberger is one of seven U.S. bishops who issued statements supporting Thursday’s Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children near the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Catholic News Service reports at least 70 men and women religious and lay Catholics were arrested in the Russell Senate Office Building for civil disobedience in protesting immigration policies they say have led to the deaths of migrant children and their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a released statement, Weisenberger said that while nations have the right to secure their borders, that must be balanced with the rights of immigrants.

He said “How we respond to their needs reveals the extent to which we have made the Gospel of Jesus Christ our own. It is my hope that the teachings of our faith will inform the dialogue and decisions related to the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. In this way we will prove ourselves to be the best of Catholics as well as the best of American citizens.”

Weisenberger was joined by bishops including those in San Diego and El Paso.