In a rare official declaration, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has delivered a firm denunciation of the White House's border enforcement measures.
Church leaders stated being concerned by risks to the special status of houses of worship and the special nature of medical facilities and educational institutions.
Nations must maintain border control while developing equitable, systematic immigration processes that serve public welfare.
Within their declaration, the religious figures described what they termed "a climate of fear around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.
They stated being disheartened by the present discourse and demonization of migrants, while opposing what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
The bishops also expressed serious worries about:
Federal authorities has pursued an stringent border policy since taking office, including rescinding policies that limited immigration detentions near protected areas such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
The statement echoes equivalent concerns made by Pope Leo, who has urged "deep reflection about the way foreign nationals are being addressed in the US under the current administration."
This represents the initial formal statement of its kind in 12 years, underscoring the seriousness of the religious authorities' apprehensions about current immigration policies.
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