Will the U.S. Warehouse People with Disabilities?

Last updated on: June 23, 2026 at 7:56 pm by Christine Schmertz Navarro

Will the U.S. Warehouse People with Disabilities? 2026-06-23T19:56:25-07:00 Christine Schmertz Navarro

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We have heard reports about the treatment that immigrants receive in the ICE detention centers: moldy food, lack of proper sanitation, a lack of privacy, little medical care, and sexual assault, to name a few. Thus far, the U.S. government has received a failing grade as to its treatment of immigrants. Prisons do not receive high ratings either. It sounds like the Trump Administration might lessen protections for people with disabilities.

Responses from Advocacy Groups

The US Justice Department is now testing the waters with the rights of our disabled brothers and sisters. Suddenly, the Justice Department has reassessed the common interpretation of the 1999 Olmstead v. LC decision, departing from the ruling’s 27-year understanding.

The Office of Legal Counsel has asked the White House to reverse the effects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, especially the part that keeps persons with disabilities in their communities and near their families. The American Association of People with Disabilities supports the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They comment,

Woman wheeling herself in wheelchair

Wheelchairs are among the inventions that help people with disabilities live independently. Courtesy of pexels.com

The DOJ just gave the White House and other federal entities a green light to take disabled people back to a time when the state could, at any time, strip us of our homes, families, autonomy, and our lives.

The Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision, issued on June 22, 1999, was a landmark decision that affirmed that disabled people are valuable members of their communities, and that it is unacceptable and dehumanizing to shut disabled people away.

The American Civil Liberties Union summarizes this effort by the Justice Department.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) has issued a memorandum that incorrectly purports that neither federal disability rights laws nor Supreme Court precedent enshrine the right of people with disabilities to live integrated lives in their communities, instead of being segregated in institutions.

Relevant Biblical Quotes and Catholic Church Teaching

Jada Pryor cites biblical passages in her Patheos article titled Top 7 Bible Verses About Disabilities | Jada Pryor. While Jesus heals people with disabilities, he does not shun them, but brings them back to full health.

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have summarized the Church’s Social Teaching into seven key themes. The first is the “Life and Dignity of the Human Person.” This means that all human life is sacred and a person’s value does not depend on a their immigration or employment status, illness or physical or mental impairment. Every person’s life has value and worth as created by God.

“We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

I am uncertain about the motive behind this DOJ memo, but I cannot imagine that it puts the welfare of Americans first. We need to keep our eyes on this issue.

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