Pope Leo XIV's decision to appoint a former undocumented immigrant as a bishop has sparked controversy. Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, who once illegally entered the US, will now lead the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. The appointment comes amid tensions regarding immigration policies. Menjivar-Ayala, who fled El Salvador as a teen, has been critical of stricter immigration enforcement. Diocese officials have defended the appointment, emphasizing Bishop Menjivar-Ayala’s pastoral work. Critics have noted the appointment's implications, particularly in a state that voted heavily for former President Trump. The appointment has garnered attention from various media outlets, especially given Pope Leo's stance on immigration enforcement.