In a letter to the US bishops, the Pope writes that the government program that deports people solely because they are staying in the country illegally deprives migrants of "their inherent dignity" and will end badly, reports AP and AFP.
Countries have the right to defend themselves against criminals, but deporting people who in many cases have left their home countries to escape extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution, or severe environmental destruction makes them even more vulnerable and defenseless, writes the Pope.
The Argentine-born Francis is the first Latin American Pope. He often speaks about the need to protect migrants and refugees and about the climate.
Donald Trump's official responsible for the announced deportations of millions of undocumented immigrants, Tom Homan, responds by saying that the Pope should mind his own business.
I wish he would stick to the Catholic Church and leave border control to us, says the so-called "border guard" at the White House.
