American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Immigration Policies
In a infrequent public statement, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a firm denunciation of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Special Message Reveals Deep Concern
The bishops stated being concerned by threats against the special status of churches and the special nature of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
Within their declaration, the church leaders characterized what they termed "a climate of fear around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disheartened by the ongoing debate and vilification of immigrants, while resisting what they called "the widespread removal of people."
Additional Concerns
Church authorities also raised major apprehensions about:
- Circumstances in border holding facilities
- Random revocation of official documentation for certain immigrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has advanced an stringent border policy since beginning the term, including revoking policies that limited immigration arrests near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.
International Context
The message mirrors equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "serious consideration about the way migrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Wider Consequences
This represents the initial special message of its nature in more than ten years, underscoring the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.
