American Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Border Policies
In a rare official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has delivered a sharp criticism of the White House's border enforcement measures.
Official Declaration Reveals Deep Concern
The bishops voiced being concerned by threats against the sacred nature of churches 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.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
Through their statement, the bishops characterized what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of targeting" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being saddened by the current discussion and negative portrayal of foreign nationals, while opposing what they referred to as "the widespread removal of people."
Other Worries
Church authorities also voiced major apprehensions about:
- Situations in immigration detention centers
- Unjustified cancellation of legal status for some migrants
- Lack of meaningful immigration reform
Procedural Adjustments
The White House has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda since taking office, including eliminating policies that limited immigration arrests near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Global Perspective
The message echoes similar critiques 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."
Wider Consequences
This represents the initial special message of its kind in over a decade, emphasizing the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
