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The White House rejected on Monday the request from the Catholic bishops of Florida to temporarily suspend immigration operations during the holiday season, a request led by the Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski.
The religious leader called for a "humanitarian pause" so that migrant families can celebrate Christmas without the fear of being detained.
The letter, signed by eight prelates of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, was addressed to President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, urging to "give a break" on raids and deportations.
"The maximum focus of immigration law enforcement is now trapping people who are not criminals, but workers," Wenski warned.
"A truce would show a minimum of decency and respect for the humanity of these families," he emphasized.
However, the White House responded that immigration operations “will continue as normal”, reported the network Fox News.
The presidential spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, stated that “President Trump was elected with the commitment to deport illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds, and he is fulfilling that promise.”
During a press conference in Miami Shores, the archbishop emphasized that a pause "would help cool things down" in the country and allow families to come together.
"Give them these two weeks to be with their loved ones without the fear of being arrested or sent to places like Alligator Alcatraz or Krome," said Wenski, referring to the notorious immigration detention centers in Florida.
"It's a simple request: a pause to celebrate the Prince of Peace. Don't be the Grinch who steals Christmas," he added.
The religious leader, known for his advocacy for more humane treatment of migrants, also criticized that the current raids even affect individuals with legal authorization to remain in the United States.
According to Wenski, more than half a million immigrants have been deported this year, while two million more have left the country voluntarily.
The request from the bishops of Florida was morally supported by Pope Leo XIV, who reminded this month that “countries have the right to control their borders, but they must treat migrants with humanity and dignity.”
The pontiff clarified that the Church "does not advocate for open borders," although it condemns "the inhumane and degrading treatment" of migrants in the United States.
Last September, Wenski participated in a roundtable at Georgetown University, where he denounced that Trump's immigration policy "tears families apart, instills fear, and disrupts the lives of religious communities."
The archbishop then emphasized that "the application of the law will always be necessary, but it must be rational and humanized."
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