US Catholic Bishops Condemn Trump Administration's Aggressive Immigration Policies

The Trump administration has implemented a strong and assertive immigration policy since assuming office.

In an unprecedented move, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has publicly criticized President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement measures, calling instead for "meaningful immigration reform."

"We express deep concern regarding threats to the sanctity of places of worship and the protected status of hospitals and educational institutions," stated the bishops in a special declaration, the first such statement released in twelve years.

When contacted for a response, the Department of Homeland Security, which manages immigration enforcement activities, did not immediately provide comments.

This statement aligns with similar concerns expressed by Pope Leo, who has urged for "deep reflection" on the treatment of migrants under the Trump administration in the United States.

Since taking office earlier this year, the Trump administration has pursued rigorous immigration policies. President Trump has eliminated guidelines that previously restricted immigration arrests near sensitive locations including churches, medical facilities, and schools, while deploying federal agents throughout the country to increase such detentions.

In their declaration, the bishops voiced apprehension about what they characterized as "a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement practices. They expressed dismay over the ongoing debate and negative portrayal of migrants, and stated their opposition to "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."

Additionally, the bishops highlighted concerns regarding conditions within detention facilities and what they described as arbitrary revocation of legal status for certain migrants.

"We acknowledge that nations have an obligation to regulate their borders and establish fair and orderly immigration systems for the collective welfare," the bishops affirmed.

(This report has not undergone editing by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated source.)