US Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Border Enforcement
Through a rare official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has issued a sharp criticism of the White House's immigration crackdown.
Official Declaration Reveals Serious Worry
Religious authorities expressed being disturbed by risks to the sacred nature of religious sites and the special nature of hospitals and schools.
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.
Climate of Fear
Within their declaration, the religious figures portrayed what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and border control measures.
They expressed being saddened by the current discussion and negative portrayal of migrants, while rejecting what they described as "the widespread removal of people."
Other Worries
Church authorities also raised significant concerns about:
- Conditions in border holding facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of legal status for some migrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Policy Changes
The White House has advanced an stringent border policy since taking office, including eliminating policies that limited immigration arrests near protected areas such as churches, hospitals and schools.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration mirrors equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way migrants are being handled in the US under the current administration."
Broader Implications
This constitutes the first official declaration of its kind in more than ten years, underscoring the significance of the religious authorities' apprehensions about existing enforcement approaches.
