American Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Immigration Enforcement
Through a rare public statement, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a firm denunciation of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.
Formal Statement Shows Deep Concern
Church leaders expressed being concerned by risks to the special status of churches and the special nature of hospitals and schools.
Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.
Climate of Fear
In their message, the bishops portrayed what they called "a climate of fear around questions of targeting" and immigration policies.
They expressed being disappointed by the ongoing debate and demonization of migrants, while opposing what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also expressed serious worries about:
- Situations in border holding facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of legal status for various foreign nationals
- Absence of comprehensive immigration system improvements
Policy Changes
The Trump administration has advanced an stringent border policy since beginning the term, including revoking policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.
International Context
The statement parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "serious consideration about the way migrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Broader Implications
This constitutes the initial formal statement of its nature in more than ten years, emphasizing the seriousness of the religious authorities' apprehensions about present border measures.
