Overview
- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the uncommon message by a 216–5–3 vote, citing a climate of fear, detention conditions, and limited access to pastoral care.
- Tom Homan, speaking at the White House, defended the administration’s operations as lawful and life‑saving, said ICE targets public‑safety and national‑security threats, and urged church leaders to “fix” the Church.
- Homan argued that illegal entry is a crime and compared U.S. border enforcement to stricter penalties for trespassing at the Vatican, framing deportations as a deterrent that saves lives.
- DHS recently reported more than 500,000 deportations and 1.6 million ‘self‑deportations,’ figures officials and supportive media say coincide with reduced border crossings.
- Conservative Catholic group CatholicVote released a report contending faithful Catholics can back robust, humane enforcement, as local bishops and interfaith leaders held vigils and accompaniment efforts such as in San Diego.