White House immigration enforcement policy is once again drawing the ire of religious leaders, this time with Pope Francis decrying it in a letter to U.S. bishops.

Pope Francis sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in an unusual open letter to America's Catholic bishops on Tuesday, saying criminalising migrants and taking measures built on force "will end badly".

The religious groups sued the Trump Administration after federal officials opened the door for immigration agents to conduct raids at houses of worship and schools.