In the Our Take of our March issue, “Courageous Voices in the Cacophony,” America’s editors highlighted those speaking out against the abuses of the second Trump administration, including its mass deportation campaign and its apparent abandonment of pro-life policies. From nonviolent protestors in Minneapolis to Catholic cardinals, these “beacons of hope,” our editors wrote, are providing a moral example of “courage and faith” and speaking “truth to power.” Our readers had much to say in response.

I honor the bravery and the honesty of all who protest, who speak out, including the editorial staff of America magazine. Now we must be patient. It will take much to turn this big ship around.
Carol McShane

The fight against Trump took place in 2024; the opposition lost resoundingly. We must respect the will of the people (democracy) and await the next presidential election. That’s the way things work in our republic.
Bobby C.

One of the lasting strengths of my Jesuit education was the use of deductive reasoning: namely, to gather all pertinent facts in a situation and come to a balanced conclusion. Unfortunately, I find your editorial lacking any review of all sides of the complicated immigration policy and legislation facing our country. Is it possible that of the millions of immigrants who entered the United States in the early 2020s, just a few may have committed crimes and warrant proper arrest?
James Beale

The bishops have created confusion by their hairsplitting. They have also fomented complacency among the comfortable and the timid by their inaction in condemning government tactics. Only a handful of bishops have spoken out. We need all 280 or so active bishops to speak out with one clear voice, in the media and from the pulpit. None that I can tell are denying Communion to Catholic members of the administration. As we said in San Francisco during the height of AIDS, “silence = death.” Still true.
Robert A. Boguski

Mr. Trump was the most forthright candidate that ever ran for president. He spoke of mass deportations all of the time. To be surprised by the implementation of a policy position he spoke about at length and at every single campaign stop is disingenuous.

A man at my parish was one of the millions deported by President Obama. This man went to work one morning and did not come home. A couple of days later, he called his wife from El Salvador (his native country). Compassionate parishioners donated money for her trip to El Salvador. No one protested. No activists cared.

The fact is, the protestors don’t want anyone deported—including the worst of the worst criminals. Americans don’t accept this policy position. No one is against peaceful protests. We can all do better, but everyone should be in the United States legally.
Carlos M.

Speaking about the plight of the immigrant and at once scrupulously explaining the “right to protect the border” without clear condemnation of the evil tactics being employed creates confusion. The church must speak with absolute clarity. The tactics being employed are evil. Our public statements need to ruffle feathers.
Karl Schilken

The federal government’s approach is out of all proportion to the scope of the problem of a small percentage of undocumented immigrants that have committed crimes. It is proving to be an indecent and at times violent intrusion into the lives of U.S. citizens and many others with legal status.It is time for everyone troubled by the current administration’s outrages to express themselves in a continuing visible peaceful method. The orange whistles worn by those in Minneapolis should become our universal protest symbol. It is neither Republican red nor Democratic blue. Clearly nonviolent, it cannot be mistaken for a weapon. Wear it visibly. Let our politicians know your position.
Joseph Dunn

This article appears in April 2026.