Border Czar Tom Homan recently responded to criticism from US Catholic bishops who described current immigration raids as creating “a climate of fear and anxiety.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voted 216 to 5 in favor of releasing a “Special Message” “addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States” during their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. It is the first time in twelve years that the USCCB has issued such a message. “We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants,” the messaged stated, noting immigrants were concerned about dropping their children off at school and that there was a lack of pastoral care at immigration detention centers. “Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity,” the message continued.

The message called on recognizing “the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants” in accordance with Catholic teachings. The message also admitted the need for maintaining national borders. “Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together,” the bishops said. The message called on the US to create “safe and legal pathways.” The letter reflected a major theme of the Plenary, as bishops grappled with ways to respond with what they perceived as growing hostilities towards immigrants. Chairman Bishop Mark Seitz announced a national initiative to provide accompaniment to migrants who are at risk of being deported, which has been offered through other dioceses. To date, the US Department of Homeland Security has announced 527,000 deportations this year and another 1.6 million self-deportations.

Homan, when asked about the statement, pushed back. “The Catholic Church is wrong. I’m sorry. I’m a lifelong Catholic. I’m saying it not only as a border czar — I’ll say it as a Catholic,” he said. “They need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church, in my opinion.” He criticized the letters call for a legal pathway to citizenship for those in the US illegally. “So, according to them, the message we should send to the whole world is that if you cross the border illegally, which is a crime, don’t worry about it. If you get ordered removed by a federal judge after due process, don’t worry about us, because there should not be mass deportations. Is that the message you send to the whole world?” Homan pointed to the dangerous situations those crossing the border illegally find themselves in, often engaging members of the cartels to help them cross safely, which can lead to being trafficked. He also highlighted the passing of drugs like fentanyl across the border, which has killed thousands of US citizens. “Secure border saves lives. I wish the Catholic Church would understand that,” he insisted. Homan also appeared to indicate hypocrisy on the part of the Vatican, noting its stringent security measures. “We have a right to secure our borders, just like they have a right to secure their facility,” he said. “You can’t enter their facility without getting arrested. The penalties for entering their facility are much worse than ours.”