American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn Trump Administration Border Policies
Through a uncommon formal message, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a firm denunciation of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.
Official Declaration Shows Deep Concern
Religious authorities expressed being troubled by threats against the sanctity of religious sites and the special nature of hospitals and schools.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
In their message, the bishops described what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of discrimination" and immigration policies.
They stated being disappointed by the present discourse and vilification of immigrants, while resisting what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also expressed major apprehensions about:
- Conditions in immigration detention centers
- Arbitrary removal of official documentation for some migrants
- Insufficiency in meaningful immigration reform
Policy Changes
Federal authorities has pursued an tough immigration approach since assuming power, including eliminating policies that limited immigration arrests near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration echoes similar critiques made by Pope Leo, who has urged "serious consideration about the way migrants are being handled in the US under Trump."
Extended Ramifications
This constitutes the first special message of its kind in 12 years, underscoring the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
