US Roman Catholic Church Leaders Criticize White House Border Enforcement
In a rare official declaration, America's Catholic bishop leadership has delivered a firm denunciation of the White House's immigration crackdown.
Official Declaration Reveals Serious Worry
The bishops voiced being concerned by potential violations of the sanctity of religious sites and the unique character of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Environment of Apprehension
In their message, the church leaders portrayed what they termed "a climate of fear around questions of discrimination" and immigration policies.
They expressed being disappointed by the ongoing debate and demonization of immigrants, while resisting what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also expressed serious worries about:
- Circumstances in migrant detention facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of authorized standing for various foreign nationals
- Lack of meaningful immigration reform
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has implemented an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including revoking policies that limited immigration arrests near protected areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.
Global Perspective
The message parallels comparable criticisms made by the Catholic pontiff, who has urged "thorough contemplation about the way foreign nationals are being handled in the US under the current administration."
Wider Consequences
This constitutes the first special message of its kind in over a decade, emphasizing the gravity of the bishops' concerns about current immigration policies.
