American Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize Trump Administration Border Policies
Via a infrequent official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has issued a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Special Message Shows Deep Concern
Church leaders expressed being concerned by threats against the special status of churches and the special nature 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.
Climate of Fear
In their message, the bishops described what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of profiling" and immigration policies.
They stated being saddened by the present discourse and vilification of foreign nationals, while opposing what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also expressed significant concerns about:
- Circumstances in border holding facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of legal status for some migrants
- Lack of meaningful immigration reform
Policy Changes
The Trump administration has pursued an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including rescinding policies that curtailed immigration detentions near protected areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.
International Context
The declaration mirrors comparable criticisms made by Pope Leo, who has advocated for "deep reflection about the way immigrants are being handled in the US under Trump."
Wider Consequences
This marks the first special message of its nature in more than ten years, underscoring the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
