Bishop Tobin, Catholic Pastors Urge ICE to Cease Raids, Allow Agents to Exercise ‘Conscientious Objection’

Letter Follows Meeting with Catholic Pastors Who Serve State’s Immigrant Community



(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) - The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence and 15 pastors who serve the state’s diverse immigrant community have urged Stephen Farquharson, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), Boston Regional Office, to declare a moratorium on immigration raids in Rhode Island. The clergy also encouraged ICE to allow agents to excuse themselves from participating in raids if such actions are not in conformity with their faith and conscience.

The bishop and pastors met at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Providence on Tuesday afternoon to: assess the current situation with the immigrants in various communities throughout the diocese; determine their needs; and discuss possible diocesan assistance.

“We the undersigned…urge you to declare a moratorium on immigration raids in the State of Rhode Island, until our nation can implement a comprehensive and just reform of our immigration laws,â€