American Catholic Bishops Denounce Trump Administration Immigration Enforcement
Via a infrequent formal message, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.
Formal Statement Shows Deep Concern
Church leaders voiced being disturbed by risks to the sacred nature of churches and the unique character 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.
Environment of Apprehension
Within their declaration, the church leaders characterized what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of profiling" and immigration policies.
They revealed being saddened by the ongoing debate and vilification of immigrants, while rejecting what they described as "the widespread removal of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also raised serious worries about:
- Conditions in border holding facilities
- Arbitrary removal of authorized standing for some migrants
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
The Trump administration has implemented an aggressive immigration agenda since beginning the term, including revoking policies that restricted immigration apprehensions near designated sites such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration echoes equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has urged "deep reflection about the way immigrants are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
Broader Implications
This marks the first official declaration of its nature in more than ten years, underscoring the significance of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.
