American Catholic Church Leaders Condemn White House Immigration Enforcement
Through a infrequent official declaration, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a strong condemnation of the Trump administration's border enforcement measures.
Special Message Shows Serious Worry
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.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
In their message, the church leaders characterized what they called "a climate of fear around questions of discrimination" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disheartened by the ongoing debate and negative portrayal of migrants, while opposing what they referred to as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also raised major apprehensions about:
- Conditions in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of authorized standing for some migrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
The Trump administration has pursued an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that limited immigration arrests near sensitive locations such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Global Perspective
The message echoes similar critiques made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
Wider Consequences
This constitutes the initial formal statement of its type in 12 years, emphasizing the seriousness of the religious authorities' apprehensions about current immigration policies.
