US Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize Trump Administration Border Enforcement
Via a rare formal message, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a strong condemnation of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Formal Statement Reveals Significant Apprehension
Church leaders voiced being disturbed by risks to the special status of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Climate of Fear
In their message, the church leaders portrayed what they called "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of discrimination" and immigration policies.
They expressed being disappointed by the present discourse and vilification of immigrants, while rejecting what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also voiced significant concerns about:
- Conditions in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of legal status for certain immigrants
- Lack of meaningful immigration reform
Administrative Shifts
The Trump administration has pursued an tough immigration approach since assuming power, including eliminating policies that limited immigration arrests near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
International Context
The declaration parallels similar critiques made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way immigrants are being treated in the US under Trump."
Extended Ramifications
This constitutes the initial formal statement of its nature in 12 years, emphasizing the gravity of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.
