In a significant move, a coalition of Catholic bishops and Evangelical Latino leaders has voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposed legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill, which has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, is particularly concerning to faith leaders due to its implications for immigration and artificial intelligence.
In a joint letter addressed to the U.S. Senate, more than 40 prominent religious figures, including Cardinal Robert McElroy and Rev. Gabriel Salguero, urged lawmakers to reject the bill. Their concerns center around provisions that could harm immigrant families, undermine poverty assistance programs, and infringe upon states’ rights. The letter emphasizes that the bill allocates billions for a nationwide deportation campaign and the expansion of border wall infrastructure, which the signatories argue would lead to family separations and increased risks for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The faith leaders highlighted a troubling trend: the Department of Homeland Security has removed houses of worship from its list of sensitive enforcement locations, making these sanctuaries more vulnerable to immigration raids. This has already resulted in a noticeable decline in attendance at religious services, as families fear enforcement actions may disrupt their worship.
Moreover, the letter criticizes the bill for proposed cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs, warning that millions of low-income citizens, including legal residents and asylum seekers, could be pushed deeper into poverty. The signatories referenced data from the Congressional Budget Office, which indicates that the legislation would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the poorest.
Trump’s sweeping budget reconciliation bill, known formally as H.R.1, passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year and has recently advanced in the Senate. Among its most contentious aspects is a provision that would impose a 10-year ban on state-level regulations concerning artificial intelligence technologies. Critics argue that this undermines state sovereignty and removes vital oversight mechanisms, a sentiment echoed by some Republican lawmakers who have expressed concerns about the implications of such a blanket policy.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia recently withdrew her support for the bill upon learning of the AI provision, stating that it could lead to potential dangers by limiting states’ abilities to regulate emerging technologies. She remarked on social media, “We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years, and giving it free rein and tying states’ hands is potentially dangerous.”
The bill also earmarks significant funding for modernizing federal IT systems using AI, which raises questions about the potential for increased surveillance and data-sharing practices. Critics, including civil liberties groups, have raised alarms about the implications of such a centralized approach to data management.
Palantir Technologies, a data analytics firm with close ties to the federal government, stands to benefit from these developments, having already secured substantial contracts with various federal agencies. The company’s AI platforms are deployed across multiple sectors, raising ethical concerns among former employees who have urged the CEO to reevaluate the company’s collaboration with the current administration.
In light of these developments, faith leaders are calling for a united front against legislation that they believe threatens moral values and civil liberties. As the debate continues in the Senate, the voices of religious leaders serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and justice in policymaking.
For more insights on the intersection of faith and public policy, you can explore resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. These organizations provide valuable perspectives on how legislation impacts communities of faith and the broader society.