On December 21, 2025, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, led by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, formally appealed to President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for a pause in immigration enforcement activities during the Christmas holidays. Archbishop Wenski expressed that the border has been sufficiently secured, noting over half a million deportations this year and nearly two million voluntary self-deportations. He highlighted that the current enforcement strategy disproportionately affects non-criminal individuals seeking work, with many detained lacking a criminal background.

Wenski emphasized that immigration sweeps often apprehend individuals with legal status and pointed to public sentiment indicating that enforcement actions are perceived as excessive. He articulated the emotional distress caused to families by prolonged legal processes and requested a temporary halt to demonstrate compassion for those affected, arguing that such a gesture would acknowledge their humanity.

The White House did not directly respond to the bishops' request for a holiday pause but reiterated its commitment to ongoing enforcement, citing Trump's electoral promise to deport criminal illegal aliens. Wenski, along with other Catholic leaders, has been vocal about the need for humane treatment of immigrants, underscoring their vital contributions to various sectors of the U.S. economy, including agriculture and healthcare.

In a related context, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently executed Operation Highway Sentinel, resulting in the arrest of over 100 illegal truck drivers on California highways. This operation was initiated following a series of fatal accidents involving drivers who had obtained commercial driving licenses (CDLs) under policies implemented by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Federal authorities expressed concerns that these licensing practices may jeopardize public safety.

The arrested individuals included illegal aliens from various countries, and ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan criticized California's policies, stating that the issuance of CDLs to individuals without adequate qualifications poses a significant risk to motorists. ICE's press release indicated that the operation was a response to increasing incidents of fatal accidents involving illegal drivers, which have reportedly claimed eight lives in states such as California, Florida, and Oregon.

The operation specifically targeted trucking companies in central and northern California suspected of engaging in illegal activities, with ICE noting that the trucking industry is often associated with criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking.

In addition to these enforcement actions, the Freedom of the Press Foundation reported a significant increase in violence against journalists covering protests related to immigration policies. The number of assaults on journalists in 2025 has reached levels comparable to the total of the previous three years combined, with many incidents occurring during protests against deportations. This rise in violence has been linked to heightened civil unrest and anti-media rhetoric from public figures, contributing to a hostile environment for the press.

As the situation continues to evolve, the calls for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement and the protection of civil liberties remain pressing issues within the broader context of U.S. immigration policy.