American Catholic Church Leaders Criticize Trump Administration Border Policies

In a rare public statement, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a strong condemnation of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Official Declaration Expresses Serious Worry

The bishops expressed being troubled by risks to the sanctity of churches 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.

Atmosphere of Anxiety

Within their declaration, the religious figures described what they termed "a atmosphere of anxiety around questions of discrimination" and border control measures.

They revealed being disheartened by the present discourse and demonization of immigrants, while rejecting what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."

Further Issues

Religious leaders also voiced significant concerns about:

• Conditions in migrant detention facilities
• Random revocation of legal status for some migrants
• Insufficiency in comprehensive immigration system improvements

Policy Changes

Federal authorities has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda since assuming power, including rescinding policies that limited immigration apprehensions near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.

Worldwide Dimension

The declaration mirrors similar critiques made by the Vatican leader, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being handled in the US under the current administration."

Broader Implications

This represents the premier formal statement of its nature in over a decade, underscoring the seriousness of the church leaders' worries about current immigration policies.