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Vice President J.D. Vance Criticizes U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Over Immigration Policy, Citing $100 Million in Funding

Jan 26, 2025, 03:58 PM

Vice President J.D. Vance has publicly criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops following their condemnation of President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration enforcement. The bishops expressed concerns over policies that allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct raids in churches and schools. Vance, a practicing Catholic, expressed his disappointment with the bishops' statement, suggesting that their opposition might be driven by financial interests rather than humanitarian concerns. He pointed out that the bishops receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, questioning whether their criticism stems from a worry about their 'bottom line' rather than genuine humanitarian issues. Vance also highlighted the issue of sex trafficking at the border, suggesting that the bishops should address this if they are concerned about the humanitarian costs of immigration enforcement. The vice president's comments were made during his first television interview since being sworn in, indicating a tense start to the relationship between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church leadership.