'Look in the mirror': Vance knocks Catholic organization for criticizing Trump immigration policy

Source: USA Today

Published 11:54 a.m. ET Jan. 26, 2025 | Updated 12:56 p.m. ET Jan. 26, 2025


WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance knocked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an interview that aired Sunday after the group criticizedPresident Donald Trump's rollback of a rule that limited immigration enforcement near places of worship and schools.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman of the Catholic organization's migration committee, along with leaders of other Catholic groups, wrote in a Thursday statement that “non-emergency immigration enforcement” in sensitive areas like places of worship are “contrary to the common good.”

"Turning places of care, healing, and solace into places of fear and uncertainty for those in need, while endangering the trust between pastors, providers, educators and the people they serve, will not make our communities safer," they said. The Trump administration last week reversed guidance that immigration enforcement should not “restrain people’s access to essential services or engagement in essential activities.” The places included are often referred to as "sensitive locations."

On CBS’s “Face the Nation,” host Margaret Brennan pressed Vance on whether he supports conducting raids or other actions at church services or in schools. Vance defended the policy. “Of course, if you have a person who is convicted of a violent crime, whether they're an illegal immigrant or a non-illegal immigrant, you have to go and get that person to protect the public safety,” he said.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/26/vance-knocks-conference-catholic-bishops/77956648007/