A Catholic bishop has spoken out against recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which earlier this month led President Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in response to rising tensions.
Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino in Southern California addressed the issue in a Facebook message to his parishioners, titled "To the Faithful Amid Immigration Raids." In the message, he condemned the raids and cited reports of ICE agents entering a parish and detaining individuals directly from church premises.
“Many are taking to the streets to voice their opposition to current immigration enforcement tactics. It is their constitutional right to do this,” he wrote. “I call on all protesters to act without vulgarity, violence towards others, or destruction of property.”
The bishop urged political leaders to reconsider these methods:
“I call on all political leaders and decision-makers to please reconsider and cease these tactics immediately in favour of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity, and builds towards a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.”
He also expressed concern over the growing anxiety within immigrant communities and referenced his time with the late Pope Francis, recalling the pontiff’s emphasis on unity and compassion in times of division.
Bishop Rojas concluded by affirming the Church’s solidarity with immigrant communities:
“The Church walks with those who are bearing the trauma of these actions.”
According to the Deportation Data Project, the raids resulted in over 700 arrests in the first half of June, including 221 detentions in a single operation. Roughly 30% of those arrested were reportedly individuals with prior criminal convictions.
Critics have accused ICE agents of racially profiling immigrant communities and using excessive force during the enforcement actions.
