Many Mexicans who lived most of their lives in the United States have been forced to return to a country they hardly know.

“It’s all part of their nativist agenda,” Kevin Appleby said. “The pattern is clear: Deport Latinos, ban Muslims and now this bill would prevent Asians and Africans from entering the country.”

Bishops must lead by example and facilitate the involvement of Catholics in supporting vulnerable immigrant families.

If extensions for the migrants are not granted or the Temporary Protected Status is terminated, crucial industries would see a shortage of workers, banks would see defaults in mortgages, and government coffers would lose out on tax revenues and consumer spending.

The role was created in 1998 and is charged with helping the U.S. government promote global religious freedom.

The impact of the Trump foreign aid reductions, if enacted, “would be swift, devastating, and felt for years to come, imperiling millions of lives and the course of global development, stability, and partnership.”