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Vice President JD Vance has raised questions regarding the motives behind the U.S. bishops' criticism of President Donald Trump's recent immigration policies, which include raids on churches and schools. In a January 26 interview, Vance suggested that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) might be more concerned about federal resettlement funding than humanitarian issues.
"I think the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has, frankly, not been a good partner in commonsense immigration enforcement that the American people voted for, and I hope, again, as a devout Catholic, that they’ll do better," Vance stated during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation."
Vance's remarks came after host Margaret Brennan highlighted the USCCB's condemnation of Trump's executive orders related to immigration. When asked about conducting raids in sensitive locations such as churches and schools, Vance defended law enforcement actions against violent criminals irrespective of their immigration status.
Vance expressed disappointment with the USCCB's stance and questioned whether their concerns were genuinely humanitarian or financially motivated due to their receipt of over $100 million in federal funds for refugee resettlement.
The USCCB is one of ten national agencies receiving federal funding to assist refugees under specific programs. They have emphasized that their work aligns with long-standing church teachings on serving refugees and highlighted that these funds are insufficient to cover all costs involved.
In response to Trump's policy changes allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to make arrests at sensitive locations like houses of worship and schools, Bishop Mark J. Seitz and other Catholic leaders expressed concern over potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations.
"The use of sweeping generalizations to denigrate any group...is an affront to God," Bishop Seitz said while urging for more balanced immigration policies that protect human dignity.
The USCCB maintains its commitment to aiding refugees through its Migration and Refugee Services department, which resettles a significant portion of refugees entering the United States annually.
The debate continues amid broader discussions on Trump's executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration as his administration takes action within its first week in office.
