ROME: Pope Francis In a pointed criticism, has reproved the Trump administration for its policies on migrant deportations, stating that such actions strip individuals of their inherent dignity and “will end badly.” He addressed the U.S. migrant crackdown in a letter to U.S. bishops, who have voiced concerns that the expulsions harm vulnerable populations.
As the first Latin American pope, Francis has prioritized the welfare of migrants during his pontificate, urging countries to welcome and integrate those fleeing crises. He acknowledged that nations have the right to defend themselves but emphasized that deporting individuals who escape extreme adversity damages their dignity and leaves them particularly vulnerable.
Referencing biblical migration narratives, Francis expressed his worry about the situation in the U.S., stating, “The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment… about measures that link illegal status with criminality.” He distinguished between developing legal migration policies and expelling people solely based on their illegal status.
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Francis warned that policies based on force and not on the truth of human dignity are destined to fail. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that over 8,000 people had been arrested since Trump took office, with some deported and others detained.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops criticized Trump’s early executive orders, asserting that they jeopardize the welfare of vulnerable populations. This criticism is notable given that the U.S. Catholic hierarchy typically prioritizes issues like abortion, where they supported Trump-appointed justices who overturned constitutional protections.
The conflict between Trump and Francis on migration began in 2016 when Francis remarked that those who build walls instead of bridges to exclude migrants are “not a Christian.” This occurred during Trump’s presidential campaign, which promised to construct a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Migration is not the only point of contention in U.S.-Vatican relations. Recently, Caritas International, the Vatican’s main charity, warned that millions could suffer from the U.S. decision to halt USAID funding, urging a reversal of this policy.
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