Los Angeles Houses of Worship Prepare for Possible ICE Raids
Faith Leaders Mobilize Amidst Heightened Immigration Enforcement in los Angeles
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Los Angeles, CA - As immigration enforcement intensifies across the region, faith leaders in Los Angeles are stepping up to support vulnerable immigrant communities, offering sanctuary, legal resources, and a steadfast presence of solidarity. From distributing “no your rights” brochures to providing virtual services and even offering dispensations from attending Mass, religious institutions are actively responding to the growing fears of deportation and family separation.
Standing in Solidarity with the Most Vulnerable
Religious leaders in Los Angeles began their proactive efforts months before the current political climate, anticipating a potential increase in immigration enforcement. Jennifer Gutierrez,executive director of the advocacy group Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice,explains the early mobilization.
“We started out right after the election doing a whole lot of ‘know your rights’ training,training with congregations on sanctuary,rapid response training,” Gutierrez stated. “That’s still ongoing.”
Gutierrez noted that these efforts have intensified since early June, coinciding with a noticeable rise in detentions by immigration agents in the area. “We’ve been spending a lot of time in the streets,” she said. “A number of rabbis or other clergy in their collars are out at actions trying to be a peaceful presence, but also just trying to show the community that we stand with them.”
Her association is also actively involved in attending court hearings and maintaining a weekly vigil at the federal building in downtown Los Angeles.
Local Impact and Adaptations
The concerns have reached a critical point in neighboring San Bernardino County, where the catholic bishop of the diocese issued a special dispensation. This allows individuals who fear detention to forgo attending Mass without penalty.
Gutierrez highlighted how some congregations with meaningful immigrant populations have transitioned to online services, mirroring practices adopted during the pandemic. This adaptation aims to protect members who are apprehensive about traveling to church and perhaps encountering immigration agents. She also mentioned instances of ministers personally delivering communion to parishioners, a measure taken to prevent congregants from risking exposure at worship services.
Pastor Caleb Cariner of St. Andrews Lutheran Church views these actions through the lens of his faith. “Jesus was a vulnerable person who created a lot of enemies among the rich and powerful,” he reflected. “And he was arrested. He was disappeared in the middle of the night and put through a sham trial and publicly executed. That’s the core of our Christian story.”
Proactive Measures and Sanctuary Policies
Many congregations are implementing concrete policies to safeguard their members. Pastor Caleb Cariner of St. andrews lutheran Church, such as, shared that his congregation has distributed “know your rights” brochures in both English and Spanish to members and neighboring households. Moreover, the church has adopted a policy of not maintaining records of any member’s immigration status, creating a safe space for undocumented individuals within the community.
These initiatives underscore a broader movement within faith communities to provide tangible support and a sense of security to immigrant families facing increased scrutiny and potential deportation. The actions taken by these religious leaders reflect a deep commitment to humanitarian principles and a vocal stance against what they perceive as unjust policies.