🔗 Share this article US Catholic Church Leaders Criticize Trump Administration Border Enforcement In a rare official declaration, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a firm denunciation of the White House's immigration crackdown. Official Declaration Shows Serious Worry The bishops voiced being disturbed by risks to the special status of religious sites and the protected status 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. Climate of Fear Within their declaration, the church leaders described what they labeled "a climate of fear around questions of discrimination" and immigration policies. They expressed being saddened by the ongoing debate and negative portrayal of migrants, while rejecting what they called "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people." Other Worries The bishops also expressed major apprehensions about: Circumstances in migrant detention facilities Random revocation of legal status for certain immigrants Lack of meaningful immigration reform Policy Changes The White House has implemented an aggressive immigration agenda since assuming power, including rescinding policies that limited immigration detentions near designated sites such as religious institutions, medical facilities and educational centers. Worldwide Dimension The declaration mirrors comparable criticisms made by the Catholic pontiff, who has called for "thorough contemplation about the way migrants are being addressed in the US under the current administration." Broader Implications This constitutes the premier official declaration of its kind in over a decade, emphasizing the gravity of the bishops' concerns about current immigration policies.