American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce Trump Administration Border Policies
In a rare public statement, America's Catholic bishop leadership has released a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Special Message Expresses Serious Worry
Religious authorities expressed being disturbed by threats against the special status 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
Through their statement, the church leaders portrayed what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and border control measures.
They stated being disappointed by the current discussion and demonization of foreign nationals, while opposing what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also voiced major apprehensions about:
- Circumstances in immigration detention centers
- Random revocation of authorized standing for some migrants
- Absence of meaningful immigration reform
Policy Changes
Federal authorities has implemented an stringent border policy since beginning the term, including rescinding policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Worldwide Dimension
The statement echoes equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way migrants are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
Wider Consequences
This constitutes the first special message of its type in more than ten years, underscoring the significance of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
