US Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Border Enforcement
In a rare formal message, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.
Formal Statement Reveals Serious Worry
Religious authorities expressed being disturbed by risks to the special status of houses of worship and the unique character of medical facilities and educational institutions.
Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
In their message, the bishops portrayed what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of profiling" and border control measures.
They stated being disheartened by the present discourse and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they called "the blanket expulsion of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also raised serious worries about:
- Situations in migrant detention facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of authorized standing for some migrants
- Insufficiency in substantial border policy changes
Policy Changes
Federal authorities has advanced an aggressive immigration agenda since assuming power, including rescinding policies that curtailed immigration apprehensions near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration parallels comparable criticisms made by the Vatican leader, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under Trump."
Wider Consequences
This marks the first formal statement of its type in over a decade, highlighting the significance of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.
