U.S. Catholic Bishops Criticize Trump’s Mass Deportations for Spreading Fear in Immigrant Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, sharply criticized the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies, warning that they are instilling fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities across the nation. Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Coakley described the widespread anxiety as a matter that “concerns us all,” emphasizing the fundamental right of people to live without the threat of random deportations.
“It’s instilling, as I said, fear in a rather widespread manner,” Coakley said, urging the administration to balance border security with compassion. “We certainly have a right and a duty to respect borders of our nation,” he added, “but there is no conflict necessarily between advocating for safe and secure borders and treating people with respect and dignity.”
The archbishop, who leads the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, stressed that dignity is a God-given right that cannot be granted or revoked by the state. His comments come amid a surge in immigration enforcement actions led by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which have sparked widespread fear in immigrant neighborhoods and even caused declines in Mass attendance at some parishes.
Coakley highlighted a core principle of Catholic social teaching: while people have the right to remain in their homeland, they should also be allowed to migrate when conditions there become unsafe. “People have a right to remain in their homeland, but they also ought to be allowed to migrate when conditions in their homeland are unsafe and necessitate moving to a place where they can find peace and security,” he said.
Last month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a special message condemning the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda and the vilification of migrants. The bishops expressed deep concern over the fear and anxiety caused by immigration raids, as well as the denial of pastoral care to migrants held in detention centers.
Archbishop Coakley’s stance contrasts with the administration’s hardline approach, which officials argue is necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect national security. However, critics, including many religious leaders, contend that the policies are excessively harsh and fail to recognize the humanity of those seeking refuge.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, has defended its actions as lawful and necessary, but the impact on communities has been profound. Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows an increase in deportations this year, intensifying concerns among immigrant advocates.
Coakley also reaffirmed that the majority of undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma and across the country are law-abiding members of their communities and churches, not criminals. He called on the government to be generous in welcoming immigrants while maintaining secure borders.
His remarks echo those of Pope Leo XIV, who has urged local bishops to speak out on social justice issues, including immigration. The pope recently expressed strong support for U.S. bishops’ condemnation of immigration raids, calling the tactics “extremely disrespectful.”
As immigration enforcement continues to dominate political discourse, religious leaders like Archbishop Coakley remain vocal advocates for policies that uphold both security and human dignity. Their voices add to a growing chorus urging the administration to reconsider its approach in favor of more humane treatment of migrants.
For more information on immigration policies and enforcement, see resources from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the American Civil Liberties Union, which monitors civil rights issues related to immigration.
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