--- title: Pope Francis Criticizes Trump's Immigration Policy Over Migrant Separations description: Pope Francis spoke out against President Donald Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy, saying populism is not the solution. canonical: https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/ author: Jamie Ducharme article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2018-06-20T12:22:34.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:53:21.440Z article:section: Politics og:title: Pope Francis Just Criticized Trump's Immigration Policy Separating Migrant Children From Their Parents og:description: 'Populism is not the solution' og:url: https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt05f9ed0266679f08/6989336acf40a82e30c4c85c/pope-francis.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4000 og:image:height: 2250 og:image:alt: Pope Francis Attends His Weekly General Audience og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Pope Francis Just Criticized Trump's Immigration Policy Separating Migrant Children From Their Parents twitter:description: 'Populism is not the solution' twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt05f9ed0266679f08/6989336acf40a82e30c4c85c/pope-francis.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Pope Francis Just Criticized Trump's Immigration Policy Separating Migrant Children From Their Parents > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. Senior correspondent Philip Elliott brings sharp context to the issues driving the capital, connecting the decisions made in Washington to the institutions, industries and people they affect. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=e4ef5e04-d51f-4ade-a487-114fcb9e43f7&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Twice a week | time.com/newsletters, September 2026 | | Written by | Philip Elliott, Senior Correspondent | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership The policy influence ecosystem. A policy-focused audience spanning government, public affairs, advocacy, law, research, political media, and the institutions that make, interpret and respond to public policy. ### TIME D.C. Brief: key statements * D.C. Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read. * D.C. Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=e4ef5e04-d51f-4ade-a487-114fcb9e43f7&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/subscribe?i=e4ef5e04-d51f-4ade-a487-114fcb9e43f7&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What is TIME's politics newsletter? D.C. Brief is TIME's Washington newsletter, written by senior correspondent Philip Elliott. It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=e4ef5e04-d51f-4ade-a487-114fcb9e43f7&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Nearly 2,000 Children Have Been Separated From Their Families During Trump Border Crackdown [Watch (HLS stream): Nearly 2,000 Children Have Been Separated From Their Families During Trump Border Crackdown](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/mdVWChjR.m3u8) (3:26)  _Published 2018-06-18. Nearly 2,000 children were separated from their families during a six-week period in April and May, as the Trump Administration cracked down on illegal immigration with a “zero-tolerance” policy of separating families at the border_  by [Jamie Ducharme](https://time.com/author/jamie-ducharme/)  ## Jamie Ducharme Ducharme is a contributor to TIME. Jun 20, 2018 12:22 PM UTC  Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. NurPhoto—NurPhoto via Getty Images  by [Jamie Ducharme](https://time.com/author/jamie-ducharme/)  ## Jamie Ducharme Ducharme is a contributor to TIME. Jun 20, 2018 12:22 PM UTC Pope Francis joined U.S. Catholic bishops in speaking out against the White House’s [zero-tolerance immigration policy](http://time.com/5314997/donald-trump-immigration-policy-migrant-camp/), which has led to the forced separation of families attempting to illegally cross the Mexican border. “It’s not easy, but populism is not the solution,” Francis [told Reuters](https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN1JG0YG), later adding that populists’ immigration policies were “creating psychosis.” Francis also indicated that he agreed with [statements made by members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops](http://time.com/5313052/gop-republican-children-parents-family-separations-trump-administration/), who called the policy “immoral” and “contrary to our Catholic values.” Bishop Joe Vásquez, chairman of the group’s Committee on Migration, also [sent letters](http://www.usccb.org/news/2018/18-102.cfm) on Monday urging U.S. representatives to create legislation that is “pro-family” and “respectful of human dignity.” In his interview with Reuters, Francis said he is “on the side of the bishops’ conference” and “respect\[s\]” its position. The pope also voiced his support for immigrants on Twitter Wednesday morning. “A person’s dignity does not depend on them being a citizen, a migrant, or a refugee. Saving the life of someone fleeing war and poverty is an act of humanity,” he wrote. > [](https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1009400469314138112) The pope’s comments come after Attorney General Jeff Sessions [used the Bible to defend the administration’s policy](http://time.com/5312987/jeff-sessions-separating-immigrant-families/) last week, [citing a passage](http://time.com/5313878/jeff-sessions-left-out-the-key-part-of-the-bible-verse-he-used-to-rationalize-family-separation/) that emphasizes the importance of following laws “because God has ordained them for the purpose of order.” The rationale drew criticism from [some members of Sessions’ own United Methodist Church](http://time.com/5316396/united-methodist-church-discipline-jeff-sessions-child-separation/), though it was backed by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] I have put in place a zero tolerance policy for illegal entry on our southwest border. If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you. And that child may be separated from you [ MUSIC ] The zero tolerance policy is intended to deter people from breaking the law, Adults Adults, if they are accompanied by a child, that child is temporarily separated from them as they go through a judicial process. And that is no different from a United States citizen parent. [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] They call it the zero Tolerance. But a better name for it is zero humanity and there's zero logic to this policy. [ MUSIC ] The democrats gave us the laws, now I want the laws to be beautiful. But strong. I don't want bad people coming in. I don't want drugs coming in. And we can solve that problem in one meeting. Tell the democrats, your friends, to call me. [ MUSIC ] We should not be using kids as a deterrent policy. This is something, I think, is actually unacceptable. And it's something that, as Americans, we shouldn't be doing. He's gotta step in there and he's gotta end this thing. I think it's an atrocious policy. It's inhumane, it's offensive to the average American. [ MUSIC ] We do not have the luxury of pretending that all individuals coming to this country as a family unit Are, in fact, a family. We have to do our job. We will not apologize for doing our job. We have sworn to do this job. [ MUSIC ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/"},"headline":"Pope Francis Just Criticized Trump's Immigration Policy Separating Migrant Children From Their Parents","datePublished":"2018-06-20T12:22:34.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:53:21.440Z","description":"'A person's dignity does not depend on them being a citizen'","url":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/","keywords":["Immigration","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt05f9ed0266679f08/6989336acf40a82e30c4c85c/pope-francis.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jamie Ducharme","jobTitle":"Ducharme is a contributor to TIME.","url":"https://time.com/author/jamie-ducharme/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt05f9ed0266679f08/6989336acf40a82e30c4c85c/pope-francis.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Pope Francis Attends His Weekly General Audience","caption":"Pope Francis Attends His Weekly General Audience","creditText":"NurPhoto—NurPhoto via Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/immigration/","name":"Immigration"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/","name":"Pope Francis Just Criticized Trump's Immigration Policy Separating Migrant Children From Their Parents"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Nearly 2,000 Children Have Been Separated From Their Families During Trump Border Crackdown","description":"Nearly 2,000 children were separated from their families during a six-week period in April and May, as the Trump Administration cracked down on illegal immigration with a “zero-tolerance” policy of separating families at the border","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mdVWChjR/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2018-06-18T17:11:32.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/mdVWChjR.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/","duration":"PT3M26S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5316987/pope-francis-trump-immigration-policy/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```