In a surprising turn of events, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has joined a coalition of Catholic bishops in condemning the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown. Known for his ultraconservative stance and previous support of Trump, Cordileone’s public rebuke marks a significant moment of dissent.

The unprecedented special statement, issued by 216 Catholic bishops, powerfully critiques the dehumanizing rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement. “We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” the statement declares, highlighting the human cost of current immigration policies.

This bold stance comes in the wake of Pope Leo XIV’s recent call for US bishops to speak out against harsh immigration tactics. The bishops’ statement emphasizes the critical contributions immigrants have made to the nation, expressing deep concern about the fear and trauma caused by current enforcement strategies.

Particular attention was drawn to the devastating impact on families, with bishops noting the heartbreaking reality of parents terrified of being detained while simply taking their children to school. The statement also condemned threats against sacred spaces like places of worship, hospitals, and educational institutions.

The context of this statement is particularly significant in San Francisco, where Catholic parishes have seen mass attendance drop by as much as 45% due to increased ICE raids and aggressive immigration enforcement. These raids have created a climate of fear within immigrant communities, directly challenging the sanctuary city principles San Francisco has long championed.

While the bishops’ statement carefully avoids directly naming Trump, its message is clear: the current approach to immigration represents a fundamental breach of human dignity. By speaking out, Cordileone and his fellow bishops are sending a powerful message of solidarity with immigrant communities and challenging the punitive immigration policies that have defined recent years.

As the national conversation around immigration continues to evolve, this unified statement from Catholic leadership represents a crucial intervention in a deeply polarized debate.