US Roman Catholic Church Leaders Denounce Trump Administration Immigration Policies
In a rare formal message, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has delivered a strong condemnation of the White House's immigration policies.
Official Declaration Shows Serious Worry
The bishops stated being disturbed by threats against the sanctity of churches and the protected status 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 described what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disheartened by the present discourse and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they referred to as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Additional Concerns
Religious leaders also voiced significant concerns about:
- Circumstances in migrant detention facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of authorized standing for certain immigrants
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has pursued an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that restricted immigration detentions near protected areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.
International Context
The message echoes comparable criticisms made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "deep reflection about the way immigrants are being addressed in the US under present leadership."
Extended Ramifications
This represents the premier official declaration of its nature in over a decade, emphasizing the significance of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.
