American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Border Enforcement

In a rare official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has delivered a strong condemnation of the Trump administration's border enforcement measures.

Formal Statement Shows Serious Worry

Religious authorities expressed being concerned by risks to the special status of religious sites and the protected status of medical facilities and educational institutions.

Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.

Climate of Fear

Within their declaration, the church leaders described what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of targeting" and border control measures.

They expressed being disheartened by the current discussion and vilification of migrants, while resisting what they called "the blanket expulsion of people."

Additional Concerns

The bishops also expressed serious worries about:

  • Situations in border holding facilities
  • Random revocation of authorized standing for various foreign nationals
  • Insufficiency in meaningful immigration reform

Administrative Shifts

The Trump administration has pursued an stringent border policy since assuming power, including revoking policies that curtailed immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals and schools.

International Context

The message mirrors equivalent concerns made by the Vatican leader, who has called for "deep reflection about the way immigrants are being addressed in the US under the current administration."

Wider Consequences

This represents the first formal statement of its kind in 12 years, emphasizing the seriousness of the religious authorities' apprehensions about current immigration policies.

Beth Hoffman
Beth Hoffman

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