American Roman Catholic Church Leaders Condemn White House Border Enforcement
Through a rare formal message, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Special Message Shows Serious Worry
Religious authorities expressed being troubled by risks to the special status of churches and the protected status of hospitals and schools.
Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
Within their declaration, the church leaders characterized what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They stated being disheartened by the ongoing debate and vilification of migrants, while opposing what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Other Worries
The bishops also expressed major apprehensions about:
- Conditions in immigration detention centers
- Arbitrary removal of legal status for certain immigrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has pursued an stringent border policy since taking office, including rescinding policies that restricted immigration detentions near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
International Context
The declaration mirrors similar critiques made by the Catholic pontiff, who has advocated for "deep reflection about the way immigrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Extended Ramifications
This constitutes the first official declaration of its nature in more than ten years, highlighting the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
