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2d ago

ICE-Themed Church Nativities Face Vandalism and Diocese Pushback as Polls Show Public Skepticism

Fresh PRRI data places the disputes within a national mood favoring humane immigration over aggressive enforcement.

A North Carolina church’s Nativity scene has some new additions this year – mannequins dressed as ICE agents looming over statues of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.
At St. Susanna Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, a sign reading "ICE Was Here" replaces the statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the outdoor Nativity scene.
Vandals mostly destroyed a Nativity scene at Lake Street Church of Evanston that showed Roman centurions as federal immigration agents, Mary wearing a gas mask to protect against the agents' tear gas and the baby Jesus with his hands zip-tied. Church leaders said it reflected what many immigrants experienced during "Operation Midway Blitz." After this photo was taken Dec. 12, 2025, the church replaced Mary with a sign indicating she was beaten and detained by immigration agents. (Jillian Westerfield)
Community members attend a religious service outside of the immigration processing and detention facility in Broadview, Illinois on October 12, 2025.

Overview

  • Lake Street Church of Evanston said vandals smashed its immigration-focused Nativity, decapitating the Mary statue, and the church rebuilt the display with a sign saying she is in detention.
  • St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, kept an outdoor scene with Mary, Joseph and Jesus removed and a large "ICE WAS HERE" sign, despite an order from the Boston Archdiocese to take it down.
  • Pastor Father Stephen Josoma defended the Dedham display as legitimate witness, saying disagreement does not make it sacrilegious or a scandal to the faithful.
  • Similar protest crèches have appeared in the Chicago area, including one noting the Holy Family is hiding due to ICE activity and another depicting a zip-tied Baby Jesus.
  • PRRI findings cited in coverage show only 42% of Americans express confidence in ICE, majorities support DACA and a path to citizenship, and white evangelicals report notably higher support for harsher enforcement tactics.