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Can Catholics support Trump's wall with Mexico?

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The Church teaches about how we should approach the question of immigration.

President Trump has ordered the immediate construction of a wall with Mexico, even though it's unclear how he will pay for it. The wall is a major campaign promise. As a social issue, how should Catholics approach the topic?

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Can Catholics support the wall with Mexico?

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
1/26/2017 (7 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: immigration, wall, Trump, Catholic, USCCB, bishops, teaching, belief, enforcement

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - The border wall with Mexico is a divisive topic, both literally and figuratively. How should Catholics approach this issue?

Last year, when Donald Trump first mentioned building a border wall with Mexico, Pope Francis mentioned that building walls "is not Christian." This may be true, but Vatican City itself has a wall around it, and it is expertly patrolled by police and security, and even an armed, although ceremonial detail of trained soldiers. Why can't nations do the same?

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They can, and the Church recognizes this right. The following is from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

In the pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recognized the right of the sovereign to control and protect its borders, stating: "we accept the legitimate role of the U.S. . . . government in intercepting undocumented migrants who attempt to travel through or cross into [the country]."

To the extent the wall facilitates this duty, making it more difficult for people to violate the law, or to put their lives in jeopardy, the wall is worthy of support.

However, the bishops also warn against what they call an "enforcement only" approach. They have asked the government to provide "targeted" enforcement meaning they should pursue dangerous and criminal elements. And they should not use excessive force or punishment. We must remember that we are still dealing with human beings, no matter what language they speak or from whence they come.

What does all the mean?

As Catholics, we can be patriotic and we can recognize that America is a sovereign nation with the right to defend its borders. We can even support the construction of the wall and the pursuit of illegal immigrants, particularly when they are here to prey upon others and commit additional crimes.

But we must also remember we are dealing with human beings. Not every illegal immigrant is a drug trafficker or a rapist, or a terrorist. In fact, it seems drug traffickers and rapists are a minuscule portion of those crossing illegally. No terrorists have ever been caught attempting to cross the border with Mexico. By far, the vast majority of illegal immigrants are actually families and their children. People seeking work and better lives. It is difficult to fault people for pursuing such goals.

So we can support the wall and immigration enforcement, but we need to be Catholic in our approach. Let us pray for our nation and those who keep it safe, and also for those who yearn for the American dream.