American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn Trump Administration Border Enforcement
Through a uncommon official declaration, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a firm denunciation of the White House's immigration crackdown.
Formal Statement Expresses Serious Worry
The bishops voiced being troubled by risks to the special status of houses of worship 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.
Climate of Fear
Within their declaration, the church leaders portrayed what they called "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of discrimination" and border control measures.
They expressed being disappointed by the present discourse and vilification of foreign nationals, while resisting what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Further Issues
The bishops also voiced major apprehensions about:
- Circumstances in migrant detention facilities
- Arbitrary removal of official documentation for certain immigrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
The White House has advanced an stringent border policy since taking office, including eliminating policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Worldwide Dimension
The message echoes comparable criticisms made by the Vatican leader, who has urged "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Wider Consequences
This represents the first formal statement of its type in over a decade, highlighting the gravity of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
