Overview
- Congregations in Massachusetts, Illinois and North Carolina have installed reimagined manger scenes portraying the Holy Family as detained, missing or in hiding to protest immigration enforcement.
- The Boston Archdiocese directed St. Susanna Parish in Dedham to restore its display to a sacred purpose; the pastor has not complied and is seeking a meeting.
- ICE acting Director Todd Lyons condemned the Dedham display as “absolutely abhorrent,” and DHS rejected depictions such as a zip‑tied infant as a demonization of agents.
- One Evanston tableau shows a baby Jesus wrapped in an emergency blanket with wrists zip‑tied, while other sites feature signs like “ICE was here” or figures dressed as immigration officers.
- Public response has split sharply, with vigils and volunteer security at services, threats and angry calls to parishes, and a Charlotte incident where a man knocked over nativity figures.