A group of 120 Catholic priests are calling for a moratorium on non-felony deportations that split up families.
The Chicago group, called Priests for Justice for Immigrants, says 500 Chicago families are at risk of being separated each year.
Father Corey Brost says these deportations should be suspended until immigration reforms have been resolved.
“It’s particularly inhumane to be separating mothers from children right now when we are debating in congress laws that may allow them a path to citizenship where they could stay together,” says Brost.
The clerics say current legislation puts too much emphasis on border protection, ignoring the needs of undocumented immigrants inside the country.
The movement is a national effort that is supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.