Church Nativity scenes add zip ties, gas masks and ICE to protest immigration raids
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Like some others across the country, a Chicago area church is using its Nativity display this year to protest immigration enforcement, drawing both support and criticism from around the world. (AP video: Laura Bargfeld) A doll representing the baby Jesus is zip-tied in the Nativity scene outside of Lake Street Church of Evanston, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Evanston, Ill.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Chicago-area churches, led by Lake Street Church of Evanston and joined by St. Susanna Parish and Urban Village Church, are using Nativity scenes to protest immigration raids, sparking praise, outrage, and church discipline fights.
Key Points:
- Lake Street Church in Evanston displayed a Nativity with baby Jesus zip-tied, Mary wearing a gas mask, and Roman soldiers marked “ICE” to show fear around immigration enforcement.
- St. Susanna Parish in Dedham replaced baby Jesus with an “ICE was here” sign, and the Boston archdiocese ordered the manger restored to its religious purpose.
- Church leaders said the displays are meant to reflect refugees and families facing deportation, while critics called them political and offensive.
- The controversy drew strong reactions from parishioners and visitors, including support from some faith leaders and demands from some Catholic activists for punishment.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
The church protests may deepen political and religious conflict, and they could upset worshippers and taxpayers who want churches to stay out of immigration fights.
Positive Impact
The displays may also draw public attention to immigration raids and fear in some communities, which could push more people to discuss policy and support affected families.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Lake Street Church of Evanstoncultural institution
- Primary:St. Susanna Parishcultural institution
Candidate Entities10 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Lake Street Church of Evanstoncultural institutionPrimaryEvaluated
One of the central churches using a Nativity display to protest immigration enforcement.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - St. Susanna Parishcultural institutionPrimaryEvaluated
Central church whose Nativity scene was altered to criticize immigration raids.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Archbishop Richard HenningpersonMajorAI selected
Named church leader who ordered the Massachusetts manger display taken down.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Father Steve JosomapersonMajorAI selected
Named priest directly involved in the dispute over the Nativity display.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Immigration and Customs Enforcementgovernment agency or bodyMajorAI selected
The federal enforcement agency at the center of the Nativity-scene protest.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Rev. Michael WoolfpersonMajorAI selected
Named minister explaining the purpose of Lake Street Church’s display.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Urban Village Churchcultural institutionMajorAI selected
Chicago-area church highlighted for using its Nativity display to comment on ICE activity.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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