US Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce Trump Administration Immigration Policies
Via a rare formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Formal Statement Expresses Deep Concern
The bishops expressed being troubled by threats against the sanctity of churches and the protected status of hospitals and schools.
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 religious figures portrayed what they labeled "a climate of fear around questions of targeting" and immigration policies.
They revealed being saddened by the present discourse and negative portrayal of migrants, while resisting what they called "the widespread removal of people."
Additional Concerns
Church authorities also raised significant concerns about:
- Circumstances in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of legal status for various foreign nationals
- Insufficiency in comprehensive immigration system improvements
Administrative Shifts
The White House has pursued an tough immigration approach since assuming power, including eliminating policies that restricted immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration echoes equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under present leadership."
Broader Implications
This represents the initial formal statement of its kind in more than ten years, highlighting the gravity of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
