Catholic Church in the United States: Not all migrants are criminals

After the massive raids against undocumented migrants who have been carried out in the United States and the disturbances they unleashed, the Catholic Church in Mexico asked the authorities to avoid generalizations, remembering that “not all undocumented migrants are criminals”

The Mexican Episcopate Conference (CEM), through a statement He issued on June 10, expressed concern about “the complicated situation that has been raised” following these operations, initiated by the US government in the city of Los Angeles and that have been replicated in the cities of San Francisco and Austin.

The protests began on June 6 in response to the presence of migratory agents in work centers. The tension increased with the arrest of David Huerta, president of the Californian chapter of the International Service Employees Union (SEIU), accused of blocking the passage to official vehicles.

Videos on social networks showed crowds surrounding units of the Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE), chanting slogans while the protests extended during the night. On Saturday, the situation intensified when protesters congregated in front of the detention center, where Huerta remained held, after being hospitalized for injuries suffered during his arrest.

On Sunday, the Patrol of Roads of California launched stunned grenades to evict the 101 highway, obstructed by protesters who threw branches and fireworks to police vehicles.

Catholic Church: “Not all undocumented migrants are criminals”

The Mexican bishops stressed that, although no one wants the presence of criminals, “it is necessary to distinguish that, although some undocumented migrants commit criminal acts, not all undocumented migrants are criminals.”

They affirmed that the majority “contribute to the good of the communities in which they live and work” and stressed that this distinction “makes it possible to overcome confusion that leads to make mistakes, allows to clearly see reality and make adequate decisions for the benefit of all.”

They also pointed out that the migratory phenomenon cannot face isolated solutions, since “it requires multiple joint actions. Among them, an immigration system that allows you to do things well, without having to resort to other paths that only end up complicating everyone’s life.”

They also expressed their closeness with those who suffer from this situation and, by intercession of the Virgin of Guadalupe, they asked that “it help us to understand that we are all brothers and to build a better world together.”

Mexican government response

During one press conferencePresident Claudia Sheinbaum supported a immigration reform in the United States “that recognizes the role of migrants in the United States, especially those who have been working there for many years.”

He also called those who participate in the demonstrations to “not generate violent actions and support us as we always do between Mexicans.”

Sheinbaum anticipated that he could hold an encounter with President Donald Trump during the G-7 summit, which will take place from June 15 to 17 in Canada, where Mexico will participate as a guest country. Within that framework, we will seek to move towards agreements that go beyond immigration containment, since “which would mean recognition of Mexicans living in the United States and who contribute to the United States economy has to be part of the agenda.”