American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce White House Border Enforcement
In a infrequent formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a firm denunciation of the White House's immigration policies.
Special Message Expresses Deep Concern
The bishops voiced being disturbed by potential violations of the special status of religious sites and the special nature of hospitals and schools.
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.
Climate of Fear
In their message, the bishops described what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disappointed by the present discourse and demonization of migrants, while rejecting what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Additional Concerns
Church authorities also voiced significant concerns about:
- Conditions in immigration detention centers
- Random revocation of authorized standing for some migrants
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Policy Changes
The White House has advanced an tough immigration approach since taking office, including eliminating policies that curtailed immigration arrests near designated sites such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
International Context
The statement parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way immigrants are being addressed in the US under Trump."
Extended Ramifications
This marks the initial formal statement of its nature in more than ten years, highlighting the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
