Churches are not any longer off-limits for immigration arrests under Trump

Authorities within the US have been given the green light by the Trump administration to arrest undocumented migrants at schools, churches and hospitals.

It has been over a decade since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) and Customs and Border Protection have been allowed to make arrests in so-called “sensitive areas”.

The policy change was announced on Tuesday by the US Department of Homeland Security. 

“Criminals will not have the ability to cover in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the statement said. 

“The Trump Administration won’t tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and as an alternative trusts them to make use of common sense.” 

Trump has made it a priority during his administration to crackdown on immigration and has signed an executive order declaring a “national emergency” on the southern border. 

He has stated his intention to begin mass deportations, stoking fear in immigrant communities, lots of whom have strong links to churches that provide sanctuary and vital services. 

The Rev WJ Mark Knutson, of Augustana Lutheran Church, which has helped undocument migrants previously, said he plans to withstand the crackdown.

“Theologically, we’ll stand our ground against the federal government — an unjust law isn’t any law in any respect,” Knutson told The Associated Press. “These are sacred spaces.”

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the US Catholic bishops’ conference, expressed concern in regards to the immigration crackdown. 

“Some provisions contained within the Executive Orders, reminiscent of those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and could have negative consequences, lots of which can harm essentially the most vulnerable amongst us,” he said.