Catholic Bishops Condemn Immigration Raids

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement condemning recent federal immigration raids this week, with one bishop saying the "humanitarian costs of these raids are immeasurable and unacceptable in a civilized society." Federal officials have stepped up workplace raids to catch illegal immigrants over the past year. In other immigration news, the Department of Homeland Security said the 670-mile fence under construction on the Mexican border may not be finished this year.

Broadly speaking, surveys show the public has both positive and negative views of immigration. But the public also consistently makes a sharp distinction between legal and illegal immigrants, and illegal immigrants are viewed with much less sympathy. Six in 10 also say illegal immigrants should be deported immediately after being caught, without recourse to the courts.

For more on the facts, choices and tradeoffs involved in building a better immigration policy, visit our Voter's Survival Kit guide, Immigration: Who Gets to Come, Who Gets to Stay.