American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce White House Border Enforcement
Via a rare formal message, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.
Special Message Shows Deep Concern
The bishops expressed being concerned by threats against the sacred nature of houses of worship and the protected status of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
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 church leaders characterized what they called "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of targeting" and border control measures.
They expressed being disheartened by the ongoing debate and negative portrayal of migrants, while rejecting what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also expressed serious worries about:
- Circumstances in migrant detention facilities
- Arbitrary removal of legal status for some migrants
- Lack of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
The White House has implemented an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including revoking policies that restricted immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Global Perspective
The message echoes similar critiques made by the Vatican leader, who has called for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under present leadership."
Broader Implications
This represents the premier formal statement of its kind in 12 years, emphasizing the seriousness of the bishops' concerns about current immigration policies.
