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

• 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:

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