The Catholic bishops of Florida asked President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend immigration raids during the Christmas holidays, in a request that seeks to protect families and entire communities. The appeal was spearheaded by the Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, and signed by seven other members of the state's Catholic Bishops' Conference. In his letter, Wenski warned that the mass deportation operations currently affect not only undocumented immigrants, but also family members and neighbors who are legally in the United States. He noted that the climate of fear generated by these actions impacts the daily lives and emotional stability of many people. “A maximum enforcement approach now ensnares people who are not criminals, but workers who contribute to the economy,” Wenski wrote, highlighting that the initial efforts to remove dangerous criminals have already been largely accomplished. The petition seeks, according to the archbishop, a gesture of humanity during the holiday season. Request and Response Regarding Holiday Raids: The White House responded to the appeal by email, but made no reference to the holiday season. Abigail Jackson, the presidential spokesperson, indicated that Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records, making it clear that the operations will continue as scheduled. Wenski has been a consistent critic of immigration policies that separate families and generate fear within communities. Last September, he participated in a panel at Georgetown University, where he questioned the government's practices for disrupting the family and church life of migrants. The archbishop also highlighted the contribution of immigrants to key sectors of the American economy. “In agriculture, services, healthcare, and construction, some of the best workers are immigrants,” Wenski explained, underscoring the need to humanize and streamline immigration enforcement while still upholding it.

In addition, Wenski collaborates with the Knights of Columbus' "Knights on Bikes" initiative, which seeks to address the spiritual needs of people detained in immigration detention centers. Among its activities, he highlighted the possibility of celebrating Mass and praying the rosary in facilities such as the Everglades prison, known as the "Alcatraz of the Alligators."

"Inviting detainees to pray, even in dehumanizing circumstances, emphasizes and reaffirms their dignity," said Wenski, who believes that the spiritual dimension is fundamental even in contexts of detention and extreme stress.

The archbishop has insisted that immigration policy can be effective without neglecting empathy and respect for human rights.

Their call for a pause in the raids seeks a balance between law enforcement and protecting families during Christmas. The story reflects the existing tension between the federal government and religious leaders in Florida, who defend the dignity of migrants and seek to ensure that deportation operations consider the human impact of each decision.

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