American Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Border Enforcement
In a rare official declaration, America's Catholic bishop leadership has delivered a strong condemnation of the White House's immigration crackdown.
Special Message Shows Serious Worry
The bishops stated being disturbed by potential violations of the sacred nature of churches and the unique character of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
In their message, the church leaders characterized what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They revealed being saddened by the present discourse and vilification of immigrants, while opposing what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Other Worries
Church authorities also voiced serious worries about:
- Circumstances in immigration detention centers
- Unjustified cancellation of authorized standing for some migrants
- Lack of comprehensive immigration system improvements
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that limited immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Worldwide Dimension
The message echoes equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has urged "thorough contemplation about the way migrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Broader Implications
This constitutes the initial formal statement of its type in 12 years, highlighting the seriousness of the bishops' concerns about present border measures.
