A bishop appointed by Pope Leo made a visit to a California federal court on June 20 to appeal against the deportation of migrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Michael Pham, the newly appointed Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, had earlier urged fellow clergy to accompany migrants during their court hearings on International Refugee Day.
Pham was among a group of 16 religious leaders who gathered at the Southern California Federal Courthouse to show support for migrants facing deportation proceedings.
In a statement ahead of the event, Bishop Pham acknowledged the difficult situation migrants face when summoned before immigration judges.
He said migrants and refugees are often caught in a tough position, being required to appear in court yet frequently receiving expedited removal orders afterward.
Pham also noted that the presence of faith leaders can influence how migrants are treated during hearings, though it rarely changes the final outcomes, the Daily Mail reported.
The bishop’s appointment came from Pope Leo, who elevated him to the position in June. A photo shows Pham alongside then Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost before Prevost became Pope Leo.
Representatives from the Diocese of San Diego told DailyMail.com that the religious delegation