Bishop in El Paso, Texas criticizes Governor Greg Abbott for statewide efforts to demonize migrants
Abbott has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s alleged inaction regarding illegal immigration. He strongly condemns the surge in illegal immigration, particularly during the 2023 fiscal year under the Biden administration. In an effort to address this issue, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021. This operation aims to bolster border security by constructing more border walls and mobilizing additional National Guard soldiers to discourage unlawful entry by migrants.
Between October and December, there were over 988,900 border crossings, surpassing the previous record of 2.4 million migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal 2023. This marked an increase from the approximately 1.7 million encounters in 2021.
Texas officials, led by Abbott, are taking matters into their own hands and seeking to address the issue without relying on federal intervention. They are exploring the possibility of implementing their own immigration laws, which include provisions for arrests and deportations. This initiative is being pursued through the enactment of Senate Bill 4 (S.B. 4), which received overwhelming support with an 88-4 vote last year.
During a lecture at Fairfield University, a Jesuit institution in Connecticut, Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso spoke about the presence of Humvees, concertina wire, and national guardsmen that people have witnessed on television, as reported by the National Catholic Reporter.
According to Seitz, the actions taken by Texas officials are clearly driven by political motives and are part of a larger historical agenda in Texas to target and control immigrants.
He added that individuals who follow a religious path have a responsibility to oppose these discriminatory endeavors.
Seitz, as the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Office of Migration, plays a crucial role in shaping the church’s efforts in various areas, such as advocacy, education, refugee resettlement, and offering specialized services to at-risk and vulnerable communities. This includes victims of trafficking and unaccompanied minors.
The Diocese of El Paso was established on March 3, 1914. It encompasses an area of approximately 26,700 square miles and includes nine Texas counties. Within its boundaries, there are 56 parishes, 18 missions, and a Catholic population of 686,000.
Abbott, the diocese, and the USCCB were contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
On Wednesday, Texas officials, including Abbott, faced a setback as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected their request to implement S.B. 4 during the ongoing legal proceedings. Civil rights groups hailed this decision as a triumph in the fierce courtroom battle, which has even reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
In her ruling, Chief Judge Priscilla Richman emphasized the long-standing principle upheld by the Supreme Court that immigration control, which encompasses the entry, admission, and removal of noncitizens, falls solely within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
The lower-court decision will remain in place, following the ruling. On April 3 in New Orleans, the Fifth Circuit will hear arguments regarding the potential upholding of the injunction.
“The implementation of S.B. 4 has been rightfully prevented by the court,” stated El Paso County attorney Jo Anne Bernal, as shared with Newsweek. She further expressed her determination to seek a permanent court decision that would prohibit this law, which has already caused significant fear and division within our community.”
Seitz also reportedly criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for his office’s attempts to defund Annunciation House. The Catholic migrant shelter in El Paso has been accused by the AG of facilitating illegal entry into the United States, harboring illegal migrants, engaging in human smuggling, and operating a stash house.
According to a recent ruling by a district court judge in Texas, Paxton’s actions were deemed to lack consideration for due process and fair play.
“The attack on Annunciation House marks a significant increase in Texas’ recent efforts to militarize the border and pass laws that criminalize migration and those who migrate,” Seitz stated.
In an interview with Crux, an online newspaper dedicated to news about the Catholic Church, the bishop expressed his sadness over the hypothetical scenario of Texas officials deporting migrants without giving them the opportunity to go through the asylum process.
According to Seitz, he strongly disagrees with the narrative that is currently being spread, suggesting that individuals seeking refuge at the border pose a threat to the United States. He believes that this perspective is based on a significant misunderstanding of the actual situation.
