American Roman Catholic Bishops Condemn Trump Administration Border Policies

In a infrequent public statement, the national Catholic bishops organization has released a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump's border enforcement measures.

Formal Statement Expresses Serious Worry

Church leaders stated being disturbed by risks to the sanctity of religious sites 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.

Climate of Fear

Through their statement, the bishops described what they termed "a environment of apprehension around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.

They stated being disappointed by the present discourse and demonization of foreign nationals, while rejecting what they described as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."

Other Worries

The bishops also expressed major apprehensions about:

• Conditions in border holding facilities
• Unjustified cancellation of official documentation for various foreign nationals
• Absence of comprehensive immigration system improvements

Administrative Shifts

Federal authorities has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda since beginning the term, including revoking policies that curtailed immigration detentions near designated sites such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers.

Global Perspective

The declaration mirrors 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."

Wider Consequences

This constitutes the premier official declaration of its type in 12 years, emphasizing the gravity of the bishops' concerns about existing enforcement approaches.