Vice President JD Vance didn’t mince words when it came to criticizing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) over their opposition to President Donald Trump’s commonsense immigration enforcement policies. In an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Vance, a devout Catholic himself, expressed his disappointment with the bishops, accusing them of prioritizing financial incentives over genuine humanitarian concerns.
The USCCB’s pushback came after the Department of Homeland Security rescinded the Biden-era guidelines that designated schools, churches, and hospitals as “sensitive” areas where immigration enforcement was restricted. The new directive allows law enforcement to pursue criminals wherever necessary, putting the safety of Americans first. While the USCCB condemned the move as being “contrary to the common good,” Vance fired back, challenging their motivations.
“As a practicing Catholic, I was actually heartbroken by that statement,” Vance said. He didn’t hold back, questioning whether the bishops were truly focused on humanitarian issues or their bottom line. “When they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns, or are they actually worried about their bottom line?”
Vance also called attention to the human cost of open-border policies, which the bishops have repeatedly supported. “If they’re worried about the humanitarian costs of immigration enforcement, let them talk about the children who have been sex-trafficked because of the wide-open border of Joe Biden,” Vance said, pointing out the devastating consequences of lax border policies.
When pressed on whether the bishops were actively protecting criminals from law enforcement, Vance stopped short of direct accusations but was unequivocal in his criticism. “The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has, frankly, not been a good partner in common-sense immigration enforcement that the American people voted for,” he said. “And I hope, again, as a devout Catholic, that they’ll do better.”
Even Pope Francis chimed in, criticizing Trump’s policies in an interview with an Italian TV program. The Pope called the deportation plans a “disgrace,” claiming they unfairly burdened “poor wretches that don’t have anything.” While Francis’s sentiments reflect the Vatican’s globalist perspective, they’re a far cry from the concerns of everyday Americans dealing with the fallout from an overwhelmed immigration system.
Vance’s comments highlight a growing frustration among conservatives—and even many Catholics—over the church hierarchy’s alignment with left-wing immigration policies. While the bishops advocate for leniency, they often ignore the real-world consequences of their stance: rampant human trafficking, rising crime, and communities overwhelmed by unchecked migration. Meanwhile, President Trump’s policies put the safety and sovereignty of Americans first, which is exactly what voters demanded.
The bishops may claim moral high ground, but as Vance aptly pointed out, their multimillion-dollar interest in resettlement programs raises serious questions about their priorities. Under Trump’s leadership, America is committed to enforcing immigration law, securing the border, and ending the humanitarian disasters that open-border policies have created. For the USCCB and other critics, it’s time to stop lecturing and start reflecting.
