Overview
- The St. Susanna Parish nativity replaces Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with a sign reading “ICE was here” and lists a LUCE immigration hotline.
- The Archdiocese of Boston called the installation “divisive political messaging,” said the parish lacked permission, and insisted the manger be restored to devotional use.
- Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemned the display as “absolutely abhorrent” and tied such rhetoric to a reported rise in assaults on ICE officers.
- A DHS spokeswoman criticized the scene as inaccurate and offensive, while Pastor Stephen Josoma defended it as religious art meant to highlight immigrants’ plight and noted the parish’s history of issue-focused nativities.
- As of Sunday, the sign remained on view, with local reaction split and the parish council set to consider next steps after Mass.