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Via a rare public statement, America's Catholic bishop leadership has issued a sharp criticism of the White House's border enforcement measures.

Special Message Shows Serious Worry

The bishops stated being troubled by threats against the sacred nature of churches 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 bishops characterized what they termed "a climate of fear around questions of discrimination" and immigration enforcement.

They expressed being saddened by the current discussion and negative portrayal of foreign nationals, while rejecting what they referred to as "the indiscriminate mass deportation of people."

Further Issues

The bishops also raised major apprehensions about:

• Circumstances in migrant detention facilities
• Random revocation of official documentation for various foreign nationals
• Lack of meaningful immigration reform

Administrative Shifts

The Trump administration has pursued an tough immigration approach since assuming power, including rescinding policies that limited immigration arrests near designated sites such as churches, hospitals and schools.

International Context

The statement parallels equivalent concerns made by Pope Leo, who has advocated for "serious consideration about the way immigrants are being treated in the US under the current administration."

Wider Consequences

This represents the first special message of its nature in 12 years, underscoring the significance of the church leaders' worries about present border measures.