American Roman Catholic Church Leaders Criticize White House Immigration Enforcement
Via a infrequent official declaration, America's Catholic bishop leadership has delivered a strong condemnation of the Trump administration's border enforcement measures.
Special Message Expresses Serious Worry
The bishops voiced being troubled by risks to the special status of houses of worship and the special nature of medical facilities and educational institutions.
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
Through their statement, the bishops described what they called "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of profiling" and border control measures.
They revealed being saddened by the current discussion and demonization of foreign nationals, while resisting what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also expressed major apprehensions about:
- Conditions in immigration detention centers
- Arbitrary removal of official documentation for various foreign nationals
- Absence of comprehensive immigration system improvements
Policy Changes
The Trump administration has advanced an tough immigration approach since taking office, including revoking policies that restricted immigration apprehensions near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.
Global Perspective
The declaration echoes equivalent concerns made by Pope Leo, who has called for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being handled in the US under the current administration."
Broader Implications
This marks the premier official declaration of its type in more than ten years, highlighting the significance of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
