American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Border Policies
Via a uncommon formal message, America's Catholic bishop leadership has delivered a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Official Declaration Shows Serious Worry
Religious authorities voiced being disturbed by risks to the special status of houses of worship and the protected status of medical facilities and educational institutions.
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.
Environment of Apprehension
Through their statement, the bishops portrayed what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and border control measures.
They stated being disheartened by the ongoing debate and negative portrayal of migrants, while opposing what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Other Worries
Religious leaders also voiced significant concerns about:
- Situations in migrant detention facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of legal status for some migrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Policy Changes
Federal authorities has pursued an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that restricted immigration arrests near protected areas such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.
Worldwide Dimension
The declaration echoes comparable criticisms made by the Vatican leader, who has called for "serious consideration about the way immigrants are being treated in the US under the current administration."
Wider Consequences
This constitutes the initial formal statement of its kind in 12 years, highlighting the significance of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
