By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Pope Francis has criticised United States President Donald Trump over the deportation of “illegal migrants” from the country, instead calling for compassion for those fleeing conflicts, poverty, and climate disasters in their home countries.
In a letter to US bishops on Monday, Francis said deporting migrants who are fleeing for genuine reasons would undermine their dignity and leave them vulnerable and defenceless.
“This does not impede the development of a policy that regulates orderly and legal migration,” the head of the Catholic Church stated.
“However, this development cannot come about through the privilege of some and the sacrifice of others.
“What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.”
The Pope has been vocal in his advocacy for migrants, urging countries to welcome, protect, and integrate them, while also recognising the limits of their capacity.
Since his inauguration last month as the 47th President of the US, Trump has implemented a series of immigration-focused executive actions, cracking down on undocumented immigrants.
During his campaign, Trump made “mass deportations” of migrants a top agenda item.
Some of the measures targeting migrants include stricter border control, revised policies on refugees and asylum seekers, and changes to migrant repatriation.
The US leader had vowed to deport between 15 and 20 million people—ten times the number deported during his first term and more than the estimated population of 11 million irregular migrants in the country.
Francis urged US bishops not to give in to narratives that “discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering” to migrants.
