Pope Francis criticized US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to launch a series of immigration raids. Speaking in a television interview from his Vatican residence, the Pontiff denounced the potential raids as a “Disgrace“. The remarks were made on the Italian TV show “Che Tempo Che Fa”.
“If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the unpaid bill. It won’t do. This is not the way to solve things,” Francis told the late-night talk show.
Francis’s papacy has seen migrant rights take precedence, among other reforms. He himself is the son of Italian migrants to Argentina.
Donald Trump and Pope Francis are familiar with each other. The two leaders met during Trump’s first term in 2017. A famous picture with the two men showed Pope Francis frowning while the President smiled.
Trump and Immigration
Trump has made immigration a priority in his platform ever since announcing he would run for US President. He infamously claimed migrants from Mexico were bringing “drugs” and “crime” in that first press conference.
Trump and his partners have promised to launch these large-scale raids across the United States “On day one.” The raids could start as early as Tuesday, January 21. His so-called “Border Tsar”, Tom Homan has discussed them the most. According to Homan, gang members, and other criminals are being prioritized for deportation. He promised a “Big raid” across the United States, declaring Chicago would be “Ground Zero”.
It should be said that Trump also promised mass deportations before initially taking office in 2017. He only deported half the amount that his predecessor Barack Obama deported in all four years.
Immigration activists across the country, especially in Chicago, are preparing for the raids. One way they are doing this is by reminding undocumented immigrants of their rights.
Chicago’s Cardinal Blaise Cupich criticized Trump’s plans, as well, saying that mass deportations deny “The legacy of what it means to be an American.”
American Catholic Leaders Brace for Trump
Pope Francis already has a turbulent relationship with Trump. He said Trump was “Not a Christian” for his anti-immigration views in 2016. It’s hard to say how things will unfold in the coming four years, but early moves by the Pope suggest a possible approach to the new Trump administration.
He appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy as Washington, DC’s next archbishop. Cardinal McElroy also supports migrants’ rights and has been critical of Trump in the past.
Other Catholic churches are also reportedly preparing for the raids. Reports from some outlets indicate that some churches and related groups will assist undocumented immigrants. These include workshops to educate migrants on their rights. Other groups are preparing for legal challenges and fights.
There are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States as of 2022. Most entered the country legally, but then overstayed their visas.
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