American Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Immigration Enforcement
Through a rare official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a sharp criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Special Message Shows Deep Concern
Church leaders voiced being troubled by risks to the sanctity of religious sites and the special nature of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good.
Climate of Fear
Through their statement, the bishops portrayed what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They stated being disheartened by the present discourse and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they referred to as "the widespread removal of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also voiced significant concerns about:
- Situations in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of authorized standing for certain immigrants
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Procedural Adjustments
Federal authorities has implemented an tough immigration approach since taking office, including eliminating policies that curtailed immigration detentions near sensitive locations such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Global Perspective
The statement parallels equivalent concerns made by the Vatican leader, who has advocated for "thorough contemplation about the way migrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Wider Consequences
This marks the premier special message of its type in over a decade, emphasizing the gravity of the religious authorities' apprehensions about existing enforcement approaches.
