SW News: The Catholic bishops of the United States have decried the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which toughens the entry of migrants. Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, who also chairs the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, criticized the bill's approval as an extreme measure and said it is "beyond justification."
The sweeping immigration bill was criticized by the bishop, who urged Congress to oppose the same and called for a "bipartisan legislation that is more in keeping with our nation's rich tradition of welcome." In addition, the bishop voiced concern that the bill would significantly diminish the United States' long-standing commitment to providing humanitarian protection.
The bill proposed by Republican Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Tom McClintock and supported by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy calls for stricter border enforcement in response to the many migrants entering the country under the Biden administration. Bishop Seitz voiced his concerns over the vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied children, saying that the legislation would wipe out these people's access to asylum, limit access to legal employment and end partnerships with faith-based and other nongovernmental organizations. The prelate further put forth another issue with the bill, stating that it would subject unaccompanied children to indefinite detention by the Department of Homeland Security.
The bill includes recommendations for restarting border wall construction, stopping the catch-and-release practice, boosting the number of Border Patrol agents, and more.
Bishops Seitz decried the reconstruction of the border wall, spanning the entire US-Mexico border. The prelate also called for "enacting effective and humane border management as part of a framework of comprehensive immigration reforms."
Urging the officials to address the root causes and promote integral human development throughout the Americas, the Bishop says irregular migration can be decreased.