By Tim Harfmann and Melissa Enaje
The separation of nearly 2,000 children from their parents occurring at the U.S.-Mexico border prompted Catholic Migration Services, congressman and other faith-based leaders to speak out against the Trump administration policy at a forum conducted at St. Leo’s parish June 19.
“Regardless of where someone stands, there has to be a level of civility that children should not be ripped from the arms of their parents,” Father Patrick Keating told those gathered at the Corona parish.
The CEO of Catholic Migration Services said that a “more just way of dealing with the current immigration crisis” is needed so that “vulnerable children” won’t have to “suffer any more psychological trauma. Surely all people of good will can agree that separating innocent children from their parents is not the answer.”
St. Leo parishioners also attended the forum and expressed their frustration with the border policy.
“The only thing that I am asking to the government, to the administration, to the Trump administration, is to be a little more human,” said Conrado Hernandez.
In mid-June, the Associated Press said the six-week period at the U.S. border put a crackdown on illegal entries, according to documents from the Department of Homeland Security, which operates Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Trump administration selected federal land in Texas as the headquarters to handle the influx of unaccompanied immigrant children. More than 40 miles southwest of El Paso, a temporary shelter in Tornillo, houses the undocumented children.
“I’m very ashamed of what’s going on in this country!” said St. Leo parishioner Anisia Ayon.
While members of Congress have made their way along the South Texas border to tour the Customs and Border Protection processing centers in the Rio Grande Valley, an announcement at last week’s U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) conference expressed striking similarities.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the bishops’ conference, announced that the USCCB would explore the possibility of sending a bishops’ delegation to the U.S.-Mexico border to inspect detention facilities and offer physical signs of solidarity with migrants and refugees.
Local Assistance
Father Keating reassured the guests and families in attendance that the Church stands with them and offers aid regardless if they have proper documentation.
“We can give them a screening and we can let them know where they stand so they’re not taken advantaged of,” added Father Keating. “Because there’s a lot of fear and fear is so dangerous.”
