American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce White House Border Enforcement
In a rare official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a firm denunciation of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Formal Statement Reveals Serious Worry
The bishops expressed being disturbed by threats against the sacred nature of churches and the unique character of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
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 church leaders portrayed what they called "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They revealed being disappointed by the current discussion and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Further Issues
The bishops also voiced major apprehensions about:
- Conditions in migrant detention facilities
- Random revocation of legal status for various foreign nationals
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Policy Changes
The White House has pursued an stringent border policy since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that limited immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Global Perspective
The declaration parallels equivalent concerns made by the Vatican leader, who has urged "thorough contemplation about the way foreign nationals are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Extended Ramifications
This marks the initial official declaration of its type in over a decade, emphasizing the significance of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.