Through a infrequent formal message, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a sharp criticism of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Church leaders expressed being concerned by threats against the sacred nature of houses of worship and the protected status of hospitals and schools.
Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.
In their message, the church leaders described what they called "a climate of fear around questions of discrimination" and immigration enforcement.
They stated being disappointed by the ongoing debate and vilification of foreign nationals, while opposing what they referred to as "the blanket expulsion of people."
Religious leaders also expressed significant concerns about:
The White House has pursued an tough immigration approach since taking office, including eliminating policies that restricted immigration detentions near sensitive locations such as places of worship, healthcare establishments and learning institutions.
The statement parallels similar critiques made by Pope Leo, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way foreign nationals are being treated in the US under present leadership."
This marks the initial formal statement of its nature in over a decade, underscoring the gravity of the religious authorities' apprehensions about present border measures.
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