The Vice President of the United States, J.D. Vance, defended the Trump Administration's immigration policy by assuring that it is fully in tune with Catholic doctrine and with the recent statements of Pope Leo XIV, who stated that every country has the right to decide “who, how, and when” enters its territory.
Vance: “The Church is clear: humane treatment, yes; open borders, no”
In an interview with Breitbart, Vance recalled that, despite the noise on social media, the Church's position on immigration “is very clear”. As he explained, Catholic doctrine demands dignified treatment toward immigrants, but also recognizes the legitimate right of each nation to protect its borders.
“How to balance both things is crucial, and there is sufficient room to exercise border control for the good of your own people”, he stated.
Vance, a practicing Catholic, insisted that the Pope's rejection of open borders is consistent with the magisterium. The pontiff had already pointed out a few days ago that “no one has said that the United States should have open borders”.
The Pope calls for respect for established immigrants
Although Leo XIV defended the right of the United States to control its border, he also criticized what he described as an “extremely disrespectful” treatment toward immigrants who have been “10, 15, or 20 years” in the country and “live good lives”.
The Pope's words came after a question about the special message from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which last week expressed its concern over the “undignified treatment of immigrants” and the climate of fear existing among families.
Read also: Bishops of the United States send a message to migrants and the Trump Government
The bishops denounced the conditions of the detention centers, the lack of pastoral care, and the suffering of parents who fear being arrested when taking their children to school. They also called for an end to “indiscriminate mass deportations” and to the “dehumanizing rhetoric”.
Criticism of the humanitarian consequences of border chaos
The vice president linked the migration crisis with the rise of organized crime. He cited figures that he attributes to the Joe Biden period, pointing out that under his administration “300,000 children disappeared” after being illegally introduced into the country by Mexican cartels.
Vance denounced that children as young as 9 and 10 years old are being used as “mules” by criminal organizations and emphasized that border security “not only protects Americans, but is the correct humanitarian response to human trafficking and the exploitation of the most vulnerable”.
As Vance mentions, “balancing both things is crucial”.