Pope Leo has expressed solidarity with a recent statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops addressing concerns about the atmosphere of fear and unease surrounding profiling and immigration enforcement. The bishops, without directly naming the current U.S. administration, voted decisively to release the message condemning the stigmatization of migrants and highlighting worries over the impact of immigration raids on communities, as well as the lack of spiritual support for migrants in detention facilities.
In a press interaction following a visit to his residence in Rome, Pope Leo called on Catholics and individuals of goodwill to heed the bishops’ message. Emphasizing the importance of treating people with dignity and humanity, he stressed the existence of legal avenues for addressing immigration issues within the United States.
Acknowledging flaws within the U.S. immigration system, Leo, hailing from Chicago, underscored the need for a compassionate approach without advocating for open borders. He urged Americans to heed the bishops’ unequivocal stance on the matter, particularly in cases where long-standing residents face disrespect and mistreatment.
The recent statement by the bishops marks a departure from past practices, with only a few opposing votes recorded during their assembly in Baltimore. The bishops underscored the Catholic teaching of respecting the inherent dignity of all individuals, including immigrants, in the released statement.
Tom Homan, appointed by President Trump as a border czar, criticized the bishops’ statement, citing the risks migrants face during unauthorized border crossings. Despite pushback from figures like Homan, the bishops highlighted concerns about the sanctity of places of worship and the treatment of migrants by immigration enforcement agencies.
The bishops called for collaboration among individuals of goodwill to balance human dignity and national security effectively. Notably, the failure of bipartisan efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform has left millions of undocumented immigrants, including DACA recipients, in legal limbo.
As the debate on immigration continues, Trump’s policies have diverged from previous approaches, emphasizing border security and rejecting pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals. The bishops’ statement reflects their discontent with the current discourse on immigration and their commitment to upholding the dignity of all individuals.
Leo, expressing reservations about prioritizing economics over human dignity in decision-making processes, has not engaged directly with Trump since assuming his papal role. However, he recently met with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to the Chicago area without consulting state authorities.
