The head of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York says that while the organisation is concerned for many immigrants, he also understands the government’s “legitimate attempt” to deal with criminals. The comments come amid a federal immigration crackdown that is being spurred by the new administration of President Donald Trump, who campaigned on the promise to deport illegal migrants.
“We always have concerns, but at the same time we understand that, sadly, there are a few bad apples among the immigrants who come to New York,” Monseigneur Kevin Sullivan told Crux. “If some of those immigrants do commit crimes, well, they should pay a price for that. But, yes, we do have a concern and do want to make sure those who are not the criminals, that they’re not impacted.”
Since President Donald Trump took office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have arrested more than 8,000 people that the agency says are in the country illegally, according to a compilation of daily totals of arrests it has posted (current as of 1 February).
The ICE raids have touched all corners of the country, especially major cities, such as New York.
Sullivan, who has led Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York since 2001, declined to comment on whether or not he had been in communication with federal or local authorities, instead saying that the organisation’s concern remains, as it always has, with the people that the Catholic organisation tries to serve and help on a daily basis.
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