American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce Trump Administration Border Policies
In a rare public statement, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a firm denunciation of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Formal Statement Shows Serious Worry
The bishops expressed being disturbed by potential violations of the sanctity of religious sites and the special nature of medical facilities and educational institutions.
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.
Environment of Apprehension
Through their statement, the religious figures described what they called "a climate of fear around questions of targeting" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disheartened by the present discourse and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also raised major apprehensions about:
- Situations in migrant detention facilities
- Random revocation of official documentation for some migrants
- Insufficiency in comprehensive immigration system improvements
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has advanced an aggressive immigration agenda since beginning the term, including revoking policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Worldwide Dimension
The statement echoes equivalent concerns made by the Vatican leader, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way migrants are being treated in the US under present leadership."
Broader Implications
This marks the initial special message of its nature in more than ten years, highlighting the gravity of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
