American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn White House Immigration Enforcement
In a uncommon official declaration, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a strong condemnation of the White House's immigration policies.
Official Declaration Expresses Deep Concern
Church leaders expressed being concerned by threats against the special status of houses of worship and the protected status of hospitals and schools.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Atmosphere of Anxiety
Within their declaration, the church leaders described what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of targeting" and immigration policies.
They stated being disappointed by the ongoing debate and demonization of foreign nationals, while rejecting what they referred to as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."
Other Worries
Religious leaders also raised major apprehensions about:
- Situations in border holding facilities
- Unjustified cancellation of official documentation for various foreign nationals
- Absence of substantial border policy changes
Procedural Adjustments
Federal authorities has advanced an stringent border policy since taking office, including eliminating policies that curtailed immigration arrests near sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals and schools.
Worldwide Dimension
The message parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has urged "serious consideration about the way immigrants are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
Broader Implications
This represents the first formal statement of its type in over a decade, emphasizing the significance of the religious authorities' apprehensions about existing enforcement approaches.
