American Roman Catholic Church Leaders Criticize White House Border Policies
Via a rare formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has issued a sharp criticism of the White House's border enforcement measures.
Special Message Shows Serious Worry
Church leaders expressed being concerned by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of medical facilities and educational institutions.
Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.
Climate of Fear
Within their declaration, the bishops characterized what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of targeting" and immigration enforcement.
They expressed being disheartened by the ongoing debate and vilification of migrants, while resisting what they described as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Additional Concerns
The bishops also voiced significant concerns about:
- Situations in border holding facilities
- Arbitrary removal of official documentation for certain immigrants
- Insufficiency in meaningful immigration reform
Procedural Adjustments
The White House has advanced an tough immigration approach since taking office, including eliminating policies that restricted immigration apprehensions near sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals and schools.
International Context
The declaration parallels similar critiques made by the Catholic pontiff, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
Wider Consequences
This marks the premier special message of its nature in more than ten years, emphasizing the significance of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.
