Bishop of Austin concerned about new immigration enforcement

 Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Austin Urges Compassion Amid Texas ICE Raids

The Diocese of Austin oversees Central Texas, including Waco

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, fifth bishop of the Diocese of Austin, home to more than 700,000 Catholics across 25 counties in Central Texas, is speaking out in defense of the dignity of humanity, urging caution in immigration enforcement.

According to a Texas Tribune report, federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, conducted coordinated immigration enforcement operations on Sunday in Austin and San Antonio.

A similar operation occurred in the Rio Grande Valley.

“We understand that ICE has been instructed to focus on the deportation of individuals who pose a security risk to the United States. This includes those who are currently incarcerated or are otherwise involved in criminal activities that threaten public safety. At the same time, it is painful to see migrants, seeking refuge to raise their children in a safe environment, distressed with anxiety because of the news and information they hear,” Bishop Vásquez stated.

An ICE spokesperson described these assignments as “enhanced targeted operations” aimed at enforcing U.S. immigration law, ensuring public safety, and preventing potentially dangerous individuals from remaining in communities.

The operations occurred just days after President Trump’s second term began, accompanied by the announcement of mass deportations and several immigration-related executive orders.

These operations are part of a broader crackdown that has led to fear and uncertainty among migrant communities, especially in Texas, which is home to about 1.6 million undocumented people, according to a Pew Research Center Report.

“We call all to exercise caution so that hardworking migrant mothers and fathers are not wrongfully caught up in enforcement efforts. We must never treat people as political pawns, but rather, as human beings deserving of our compassion and care,” Bishop Vásquez said.

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