🔗 Share this article American Roman Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Immigration Policies In a infrequent official declaration, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a firm denunciation of the White House's border enforcement measures. Formal Statement Shows Deep Concern The bishops expressed being troubled by threats against the sacred nature of religious sites and the protected status of healthcare centers and learning establishments. Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all. Climate of Fear Through their statement, the bishops described what they called "a environment of apprehension around questions of discrimination" and border control measures. They stated being disappointed by the ongoing debate and demonization of foreign nationals, while opposing what they referred to as "the widespread removal of people." Additional Concerns Church authorities also expressed significant concerns about: Situations in border holding facilities Arbitrary removal of authorized standing for some migrants Insufficiency in meaningful immigration reform Policy Changes Federal authorities has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda since beginning the term, including eliminating policies that curtailed immigration arrests near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions. Global Perspective The message parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way immigrants are being handled in the US under present leadership." Wider Consequences This represents the first special message of its type in over a decade, highlighting the significance of the bishops' concerns about existing enforcement approaches.