U.S. Catholic bishops call for end to "dehumanizing rhetoric" on immigrants

U.S. Roman Catholic bishops delivered a "special pastoral message on immigration" on Wednesday, raising "our concern here for immigrants."Why it matters: Although it doesn't mention President Trump by name, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) message marks a rare public reproach of his immigration policies.Trump's hardline approach to immigration during his second term has seen illegal crossings at the U.S. borders plummet to their lowest point in decades, but his administration's aggressive arrest and deportation goals have been criticized by Christian leaders, Democrats and others.The USCCB notes in a statement accompanying the message that it's the first time in 12 years that this "particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops" has been invoked.State of play: The bishops decided to issue the special message to address their "concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States."There are strict requirements to issue such statements and this message was overwhelmingly backed by the bishops, with 216 voting in favor of the move, five against and three abstaining.The last special message was issued during the Obama administration in 2013, when the bishops raised concern about the Affordable Care Act mandating contraceptive coverage, the USCCB statement notes.Zoom in: "We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people," the bishops said in their message."We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement," they continued."We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials," they added."In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform."Of note: The bishops said in their message that despite "obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation." They added: "We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity."What they're saying: White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Wednesday evening that Trump was elected "based on the many promises he made to the American people, including his promise to deport criminal illegal aliens."She added in the emailed statement, "He is keeping his promise to the American people."Read the USCCB special pastoral message on immigration in full, via DocumentCloud: Go deeper: Judge orders ICE to release 300+ detained immigrants

Comments

World news

USask Huskies capture Mitchell Bowl at home, advance to 2025 Vanier Cup

Global News

Marjorie Taylor Greene casts doubt on Trump‘s MAGA credentials and suggests he is being pressured to cover up Epstein files

about 22 hours ago

Independent

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells Trump to ‘refocus’ on MAGA and tamp down divisive rhetoric as feud over Epstein files intensifies: Live

about 22 hours ago

Group of five in early twenties die in Co Louth car crash ‘while heading to a party’

Metro

Comments

Similar News

Netanyahu, Israeli leaders reject U.S.-backed call for ‘pathway’ to Palestinian statehood

'Dear Canada, we miss you': What these U.S. cities and states are doing to woo Canadians back

U.S. Marines in Haiti exchange gunfire with suspected gang members

Colombian president’s bold proposal: A merger with Venezuela to counter U.S. aggression

A Challenge to Canada’s Official Policy That the U.S. Is Safe for Migrants

‘Credible’ path to Palestinian state ‘may finally be in place,’ U.S.-written draft UN resolution says

As Trump Targets Antifa in U.S., Rubio Labels European Groups as Terrorists

Trump weighs Venezuela strikes as U.S. forces prepare for attack order

Purdue Pharma opioid settlement, bankruptcy deal to get U.S. judge approval

Some Canadians could be denied a U.S. visa due to obesity, cancer or other medical conditions

U.S. man’s death 1st-ever from red meat allergy caused by tick bite: report

U.S. Envoy Said to Be Planning to Meet With Senior Hamas Official

Enbridge approves US$1.4 billion project to boost Canadian oil flows to U.S. refiners

Trump asks U.S. DOJ to probe ‘what was going on’ between Epstein, Democrats

Here’s how Trump spent his time during the U.S. government shutdown

China’s new aircraft supercarrier challenges U.S. dominance in Pacific

U.S. Border Patrol to launch operation in Charlotte, sheriff confirms

With Trump absent from COP30 talks, the world moves on without U.S.

U.S. Allies Turn Against Trump’s Drug Boat War

What the U.S. Absence at COP30 Tells Us

World news

USask Huskies capture Mitchell Bowl at home, advance to 2025 Vanier Cup

Danko Jones on new album ‘Leo Rising’ and what it takes to grind it out on the road

Call of the Wilde: Montréal Canadiens fall to the Boston Bruins

La Nina weather system could bring more deadly storms to Southeast Asia, scientists warn

Hunt for gunman after boy, 10, and 21-year-old woman killed and three others injured in mass shooting in Newark

Marjorie Taylor Greene casts doubt on Trump‘s MAGA credentials and suggests he is being pressured to cover up Epstein files

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells Trump to ‘refocus’ on MAGA and tamp down divisive rhetoric as feud over Epstein files intensifies: Live

Group of five in early twenties die in Co Louth car crash ‘while heading to a party’

The militias battling to form a breakaway coastal state in the Middle East

Christmas is cancelled as shoppers cut back on festive supermarket baskets

Trump wants to crush the BBC. Time for Labour to take a stand

Nearly 70 schools to close in Australia over fears of asbestos in play sand

'Deep sadness' as extensive search off Ireland's coast for missing Royal Navy crew member ends

Arrest over deadly car blast in New Delhi

The cities Trump is targeting with ICE crackdowns next

Trump's $2,000 tariff checks requires legislation, Bessent says

Tragic update in hunt for missing UK Navy crew member after distress call

Five week old baby drowned in bath 'after argument between mum and dad'

B.C. Premier David Eby survives leadership review as NDP delegates signal support

'Fury from Alberta and Saskatchewan': Western patience wearing thin over lack of Alberta pipeline plan

10 necessities for fighting the cold and flu

Bruins hand slumping Canadiens third straight loss

Gun theft lead to shelter-in-place order in Alta.

Vilardi nets shootout winner, Jets down Flames

Forsberg shuts down Senators in return to Ottawa

A rare nugget of bipartisanship: How data farms’ water-gobbling and rate hikes have communities fighting back

How Budget could hit you if you earn over £50k – and what you can do about it

Lorde live in Manchester was a confirmation of her status as a pop star

Cold snap to bring -7°C temperatures and possibly snow as health alerts issued

Iran says it's no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country

Behind the Curtain: MAGA's metastasizing mess

Twilight of the star CEO

Ontario town ends boat rescue service sparking concern among water safety advocates

Naturalized citizens gripped by fear as Trump’s immigration policy shifts

Five people dead after crash on ‘very dangerous’ road

At least 13 injured in ‘freak accident’ as demolition derby car crashes into crowd

Sending licence fee money to Mar-a-Lago not ‘smart’, shadow minister suggests after Trump threatened to sue BBC

Hundreds of thousands rally in Manila against flood-control corruption scandal

Commentary: Front-runner or flash in the pan? Sizing up Newsom, 2028

Noughties diet culture destroyed our girls. I can’t believe it’s back

The cars still available on the Motability scheme if luxury models are cut

Everything we know about the Home Office’s radical asylum overhaul

Is AI being shoved down your throat at work? Here’s how to fight back.

Why are there so many billionaires nowadays?

Five young adults dead after car crash

Photos of the treasures in Rome's exclusive Colonna Palace

Zelenskyy says Ukraine is working on a prisoner exchange with Russia

Foreign minister says Iran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country

Co Louth crash: Three men and two women killed in horror car accident

Tragic twist of Disney fan who died in front of resort staff as hidden details emerge

YouTuber Jack Doherty arrested in Miami on drug possession charges

China Escalates Japan Feud With Island Patrols and Warnings to Citizens

'Dear Canada, we miss you': What these U.S. cities and states are doing to woo Canadians back

Despite Trump's cane sugar activism, Canadian Coke drinkers should get used to high-fructose corn syrup

Two-year-old boy dies after falling from 20th-floor apartment window in New Jersey

Border Patrol agents question Christmas light workers as crackdown escalates

Trump turns on Marjorie Taylor Greene in explosive feud that could shatter MAGA movement