US Catholic Church and Immigration

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, writing for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and joined by seven other prelates, asked President Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause immigration apprehensions and round‑ups over Christmas, arguing DHS data show hundreds of thousands deported this year, many detainees at the Everglades "Alligator Alcatraz" are non‑criminal or legally present, and a holiday pause would ease fear among families. The White House, via spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, rejected the plea — saying enforcement will continue because the president was elected to deport “criminal illegal aliens” — while the Vatican has signaled growing church concern by appointing pro‑immigration Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez to the Palm Beach diocese.