American Roman Catholic Bishops Denounce White House Immigration Enforcement

Via a rare formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a sharp criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

Special Message Expresses Significant Apprehension

The bishops voiced being concerned by threats against the sanctity of religious sites 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.

Environment of Apprehension

Within their declaration, the church leaders portrayed what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of discrimination" and border control measures.

They stated being disappointed by the current discussion and vilification of migrants, while rejecting what they described as "the widespread removal of people."

Other Worries

The bishops also voiced serious worries about:

• Circumstances in border holding facilities
• Random revocation of legal status for some migrants
• Insufficiency in substantial border policy changes

Policy Changes

The White House has implemented an aggressive immigration agenda since assuming power, including revoking policies that restricted immigration arrests near designated sites 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 "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under present leadership."

Broader Implications

This represents the first formal statement of its type in over a decade, underscoring the significance of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.