Religious groups sue Trump administration over ICE guidelines, pope weighs in

[Craig Nigrelli]

DOZENS OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PROTECT THEIR PLACES OF WORSHIP FROM IMMIGRATION ARRESTS. 

27 ORGANIZATIONS FROM JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN FAITHS SAY THEIR CONGREGATIONS HAVE SUFFERED A DECREASE IN ATTENDANCE OVER FEAR OF ICE AGENT ARRESTS.

THE LAWSUIT, FILED TUESDAY, COMES AFTER TRUMP ROLLED BACK LONG-STANDING POLICIES THAT RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AT SENSITIVE LOCATIONS SUCH AS CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS.

THE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY’S AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE DETAINMENTS AT PLACES OF WORSHIP VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT, AS WELL AS THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THE LAWSUIT.

MEANWHILE, POPE FRANCIS IS CRITICIZING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WRITING A LETTER TO BISHOPS IN THE UNITED STATES … CALLING MASS DEPORTATIONS A MAJOR CRISIS SAYING IT WILL “END BADLY.”

THE POPE ALSO WROTE DEPORTING PEOPLE WHO HAVE FLED THEIR HOMELANDS DUE TO FACTORS LIKE EXTREME POVERTY, PERSECUTION, AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT “DAMAGES THE DIGNITY OF MANY MEN AND WOMEN, AND OF ENTIRE FAMILIES.”

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN IS RESPONDING TO POPE FRANCIS SAYING THE POPE SHOULD FOCUS ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

I’ve got harsh words for the Pope. The Pope ought to fix the Catholic Church. I’m saying this as a lifelong Catholic. I was baptized… I was the first communion Catholic, confirmation as a Catholic. He ought to fix the Catholic Church and concentrate on his work and leave border enforcement to us. He wants to attack us for securing our border. He’s got a wall around the Vatican, does he not?” So he’s got a wall around that protects his people and himself, but we can’t have a wall around the United States. So I wish he’d stick to the Catholic Church and fix that and leave border enforcement to us.

IN THE LETTER, POPE FRANCIS ALSO CALLED OUT VICE PRESIDENT J-D VANCE, A CATHOLIC CONVERT, FOR HIS USE OF THEOLOGY TO DEFEND DEPORTATIONS.

DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH FOX NEWS LAST MONTH … VANCE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE THINKS THE FAR-LEFT IS COMPLETELY INVERTING TRUMP’S “AMERICA FIRST” STANCE. 

I think it’s a very Christian concept by the way … you love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country. And then after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.

VANCE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE POPE’S STATEMENT. 

FOR SAN I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI. 

FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.