Miami religious leaders make plea to Trump, DeSantis to halt immigration enforcement during holiday season
Religious leaders in Miami held a news conference on Monday urging President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to pause immigration enforcement during the holiday season.
This comes after a recent statement by Pope Leo XIV condemning the treatment of migrants in the U.S. as "extremely disrespectful."
"A temporary halt to mass deportations would allow families to remain together during Christmas and prevent unnecessary trauma to children," Archbishop Thomas Wenski said in a statement.
Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends, but unfortunately during this holiday season many people won't be doing to due to the fears of being arrested.
That's why Wenski, along with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking for the temporary halt to the immigration enforcement, saying the pause will allow families to stay together for Christmas and prevent unnecessary trauma to children.
"This year, the holiday is marred by a climate of fear among those who are immigrants in this community, including those who are in irregular status," he said during the news conference.
Wenski held the news conference at the Archdiocese of Miami Pastoral Center in Miami Shores late Monday morning.
"Give people these two weeks, be with their families without fear of being arrested or taken into custody and end up in Alligator Alcatraz," Wenski said.