U.S. bishops criticize federal raid policies against illegal workers

Published: 2008-02-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Homeland Security workplace raids to detain illegal immigrants should not be done near churches, schools, health centers or other places providing charitable social services, said the U.S. bishops. "An environment of fear and distrust is fostered that may prevent immigrants and their family members from practicing their faith, taking their children to school or accessing needed medical and social services," they said in a letter to Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The Feb. 11 letter was signed by Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Migration, and Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Calif., chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network board of directors. A copy of the letter was released Feb. 15 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .