Leadership Team shares Catholic Charities USA statement

Sister Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA recently released the following statement regarding ICE raids, which reportedly began this past weekend. We stand in solidarity with Catholic Charities USA and support this statement:

Statement from Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Addressing Reported Plans of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Raids

Alexandria, Va. – Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) strongly opposes the reported plans of ICE raids this weekend. The threats of deportation and family separation are causing anxiety and fear within the vulnerable communities our agencies serve, endangering immigrant rights and safety. Most significant is the lasting psychological damage family separation inflicts upon children. Such cruel behavior will impact children for the rest of their lives.

Our Catholic Charities agencies stand committed to providing legal and humanitarian assistance for our immigrant brothers and sisters. We support the pursuit of legal immigration but recognize that all immigrants, regardless of status, must be treated with basic human dignity and respect.

We encourage the Administration and Congress to enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform and address the root causes of migration rather than pursue enforcement raids on America’s immigrant community.