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US Catholics affirm seeking asylum is not a crime as Central American caravan draws closer to US border

Three prominent US Catholics have issued a statement affirming that “seeking asylum is not a crime” as a caravan of thousands of Central American migrants heads across Mexico to the US border.

In a statement issued this week, Bishop Joe S Vásquez, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee on migration, Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, and Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, said they were “deeply saddened by the violence, injustice, and deteriorating economic conditions forcing many people to flee their homes in Central America” and that while nations have a right to protect borders, that right comes with responsibilities.

“[G]overnments must enforce laws proportionately, treat all people humanely, and provide due process,” they said. “We affirm that seeking asylum is not a crime. We urge all governments to abide by international law and existing domestic laws that protect those seeking safe haven and ensure that all those who are returned to their home country are protected and repatriated safely.”

They also called for US investment to “address the underlying causes of violence and lack of opportunity in Central America”.

“Our presence throughout the Americas has convinced us that migration is a regional issue that requires a comprehensive, regional solution. An enforcement-only approach does not address nor solve the larger root causes that cause people to flee their countries in search of protection.”

The high-profile Catholic figures said that, as Christians, “we must answer the call to act with compassion towards those in need and to work together to find humane solutions that honor the rule of law and respect the dignity of human life”.

The US military revealed this week it was sending some 5,200 troops, some of them armed, to the US-Mexico border to support US President Donald Trump’s efforts to ensure its security. Trump has described the migrant caravan as an “invasion”.

The caravan of migrants, estimated to number between 3,500 and 7,000 people, most of whom come from Honduras, is currently in southern Mexico.

 

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