Religious leaders across the United States have expressed concerns about the immigration policies under Donald Trump’s administration.
Pope Francis, before his hospitalization, sent a letter to U.S. bishops, highlighting a “major crisis” caused by the administration’s deportation policies and urging them to advocate for migrant rights.
Trump has presented himself as a “defender of the Christian faith,” but many church leaders have criticized his policies, particularly those linked to Christian nationalism.
Critics argue that these policies may infringe upon the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom and contradict religious teachings, especially those emphasizing care for strangers.
Reverend Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, emphasized that the issue is moral and pastoral, transcending political parties.
He pointed to religious obligations to protect the vulnerable, as emphasized in many sacred texts.
While evangelicals, including Latino voters, were key to Trump’s election, other religious groups, including Jewish and Black Protestant communities, have condemned his immigration policies.
Trump’s early term was marked by changes to the Department of Homeland Security’s “sensitive locations” policy, which previously protected places like religious venues from immigration enforcement.
Jim Simpson, director of the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, noted that this policy change interferes with religious practices.
In February, over twenty Christian and Jewish organizations filed a lawsuit against the removal of the policy.
Trump’s policies have created divisions within the Catholic Church. While Pope Francis, representing the more liberal side of the Church, criticized the administration’s immigration stance, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has continued to advocate for migrant rights, aligning with the Pope’s views.
In his letter to U.S. bishops, Pope Francis condemned Trump’s deportation policies and stressed the importance of defending migrant rights.
He also criticized nationalistic trends in the U.S. and addressed Vice President JD Vance’s interpretation of Christian love, promoting a universal love that includes all people.
A federal judge, appointed by Trump, recently dismissed a lawsuit by the USCCB that sought to restore funding for the Church’s refugee resettlement program, which was cut in January.
The USCCB is appealing this decision.
The petition by Christians Against Christian Nationalism opposes the integration of Christian theology with political ideologies linked to racial inequality, urging Christians to reject such views.
Despite the criticism, Trump continues to have support within certain faith groups.
Reverend Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference expressed confidence that the administration would not target law-abiding immigrants, though reports have indicated that some individuals without prior convictions have been detained and deported.
Salguero clarified that religious leaders do not seek to protect criminals but criticized moves by the administration that he believes harm immigrant communities, such as questioning birthright citizenship and ending Temporary Protected Status.
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, criticized the rhetoric and actions against immigrants, noting the criminalization of community members and warning of potential erosions of constitutional protections.
African American churches have also voiced concerns, with Pastor William Lamar IV of Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan AME Church advocating for the hospitality his community historically lacked, and promoting a welcoming nation for all.
