Florida Catholic Bishops Urge Christmas Pause in Immigration Enforcement Amid White House Rejection
Florida Catholic bishops, led by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, have urged a Christmas-season pause in immigration enforcement. This appeal, signed by eight members of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, argues that pausing arrests during the holidays would reflect humane treatment of migrant families and reduce harm to noncriminal individuals.
Despite the bishops' appeal, the White House stated that enforcement would continue as usual. A spokesperson framed the Trump administration's policy as focused on deporting criminal illegal aliens.
Archbishop Wenski highlighted statistics showing over 500,000 deportations this year and nearly 2 million self-deportations, noting that many detainees have no criminal background. The bishops warned that enforcement sweeps can include people with legal status and fuel fear in communities. They mentioned detention sites such as Alligator Alcatraz in the Florida Everglades.
This move is part of a broader church effort, including a special message endorsed by Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Ronald Hicks, who urged humane treatment and due process for those in the U.S. illegally. Additionally, Wenski is involved with Knights on Bikes, a Knights of Columbus initiative that aids migrants in detention and emphasizes their dignity.
