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Through a rare formal message, the national Catholic bishops organization has delivered a firm denunciation of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Official Declaration Reveals Significant Apprehension

The bishops expressed being concerned by risks to the special status of religious sites and the special nature of healthcare centers and learning establishments.

Countries bear the duty to manage their boundaries and create fair, organized immigration frameworks for the benefit of all.

Climate of Fear

In their message, the church leaders characterized what they labeled "a climate of fear around questions of profiling" and immigration enforcement.

They stated being disheartened by the present discourse and demonization of immigrants, while opposing what they called "the blanket expulsion of people."

Other Worries

Church authorities also expressed major apprehensions about:

• Situations in immigration detention centers
• Arbitrary removal of legal status for some migrants
• Insufficiency in meaningful immigration reform

Administrative Shifts

Federal authorities has implemented an aggressive immigration agenda since assuming power, including revoking policies that restricted immigration arrests near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.

International Context

The declaration parallels equivalent concerns made by the Catholic pontiff, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way migrants are being handled in the US under Trump."

Broader Implications

This marks the premier formal statement of its kind in 12 years, highlighting the gravity of the bishops' concerns about existing enforcement approaches.