American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce White House Border Policies
In a uncommon public statement, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a sharp criticism of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Official Declaration Expresses Deep Concern
The bishops expressed being disturbed by potential violations of the sacred nature of religious sites and the unique character of healthcare centers and learning establishments.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Climate of Fear
Within their declaration, the religious figures characterized what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of targeting" and immigration enforcement.
They stated being saddened by the ongoing debate and vilification of foreign nationals, while rejecting what they called "the widespread removal of people."
Other Worries
Church authorities also raised major apprehensions about:
- Circumstances in immigration detention centers
- Random revocation of official documentation for certain immigrants
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Administrative Shifts
Federal authorities has pursued an tough immigration approach since beginning the term, including revoking policies that curtailed immigration detentions near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
Global Perspective
The message echoes equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way immigrants are being handled in the US under present leadership."
Extended Ramifications
This marks the first official declaration of its nature in over a decade, emphasizing the gravity of the church leaders' worries about existing enforcement approaches.
