US bishops urge incoming administration to treat migrants, refugees humanely

Bishop Eusebio Elizondo

Incoming US president Donald Trump has now confirmed plans to deport three million migrants. Two days before this announcement, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle, and chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, issued a statement congratulating Trump on his election and stressing "the need to continue to protect the inherent dignity of refugees and migrants." Bishop Eusebio also assured migrants of the Church's ongoing solidarity and support for them.

The full statement from Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle Chairman, US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration follows:

We would first like to congratulate President-elect Donald J Trump and give our support for all efforts to work together to promote the common good, especially those to protect the most vulnerable among us. I personally pledge my prayers for Mr Trump, all elected officials, and those who will work in the new administration. I offer a special word to migrant and refugee families living in the United States: be assured of our solidarity and continued accompaniment as you work for a better life.

We believe the family unit is the cornerstone of society, so it is vital to protect the integrity of the family. For this reason, we are reminded that behind every "statistic" is a person who is a mother, father, son, daughter, sister or brother and has dignity as a child of God. We pray that as the new administration begins its role leading our country, it will recognize the contributions of refugees and immigrants to the overall prosperity and well-being of our nation. We will work to promote humane policies that protect refugee and immigrants' inherent dignity, keep families together, and honour and respect the laws of this nation.

Serving and welcoming people fleeing violence and conflict in various regions of the world is part of our identity as Catholics. The Church will continue this life-saving tradition. Today, with more than 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, the need to welcome refugees and provide freedom from persecution is more acute than ever and our 80 dioceses across the country are eager to continue this wonderful act of accompaniment born of our Christian faith. We stand ready to work with a new administration to continue to ensure that refugees are humanely welcomed without sacrificing our security or our core values as Americans. A duty to welcome and protect newcomers, particularly refugees, is an integral part of our mission to help our neighbours in need.

We pray for President -elect Trump and all leaders in public life, that they may rise to the responsibilities entrusted to them with grace and courage. And may all of us as Catholics and Americans remain a people of solidarity with others in need and a nation of hospitality which treats others as we would like to be treated.

See also:ICN 16 September 2016 - US Bishops: As Catholics, we must overcome partisan divides on migration issues www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=30933