American Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Border Enforcement
Through a rare formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has delivered a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Formal Statement Shows Serious Worry
The bishops stated being disturbed by risks to the special status of churches and the unique character of medical facilities and educational institutions.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
Within their declaration, the religious figures characterized what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of targeting" and immigration policies.
They expressed being disappointed by the current discussion and negative portrayal of foreign nationals, while resisting what they referred to as "the widespread removal of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also expressed significant concerns about:
- Situations in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of legal status for various foreign nationals
- Lack of comprehensive immigration system improvements
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has pursued an tough immigration approach since assuming power, including rescinding policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Global Perspective
The message parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has urged "deep reflection about the way migrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Wider Consequences
This marks the premier official declaration of its nature in more than ten years, underscoring the gravity of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
