Faith groups pray outside Miramar ICE facility amid crackdown

(MIRAMAR, FLORIDA) On Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025, Catholic and interfaith leaders gathered for a peaceful prayer service outside the Miramar ICE facility, part of a national faith movement urging more humane treatment of migrant families amid what organizers described as an intensified immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. The group assembled near the 2800 block of Southwest 145th Street, outside the Krome North Service Processing Center, to pray for people in detention and to call for policies that keep families together.

Participants included nuns, lay Catholics, and members of organizations such as Discerning Deacons and the Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Institute. Organizers said the prayer service sought to center the dignity of each person while raising concern about what they called inhumane enforcement tactics. While acknowledging that removal may be appropriate for individuals who commit serious crimes, the group argued the current approach harms communities and leaves children afraid their parents will not come home.

The gathering in Miramar fits a broader pattern across the United States this year. Catholic parishes and interfaith coalitions have been holding vigils and prayer circles at ICE facilities nationwide, lifting intentions for migrants and urging officials to treat people in custody with compassion. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these faith-led events have grown more visible in 2025 as congregations look for peaceful ways to support neighbors facing detention or deportation and to draw attention to the moral questions raised by mass enforcement.

Organizers in Miramar described the event as both a protest and a pastoral act. They prayed for protection for those in detention, safety for families waiting for case decisions, and strength for volunteers who accompany people to check-ins. They also called on federal leaders to weigh the impact of policies on children and local communities. Faith leaders said they plan to return for another prayer service in November, underlining that this is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time action.

Faith response to enforcement concerns

Speakers said the prayer service was a response to what they view as unnecessarily harsh tactics that separate families and sow fear. They stressed that prayers were not a rejection of all enforcement but a plea for guardrails that respect due process and human dignity.

Several participants noted longstanding congregational support for immigrant parishioners, including:

• Offering rides to check-ins
• Providing food for families when a breadwinner is detained
• Offering spiritual support during court dates

The Miramar ICE facility has become a focal point for local communities because many people with pending immigration matters must appear for routine appointments. Faith groups said these visits can bring intense stress, as some fear being detained without time to arrange childcare or notify relatives.

Organizers emphasized that their presence was peaceful and pastoral, aimed at calming anxiety and ensuring those arriving for appointments were greeted with kindness. Supporters framed their message in the moral language of family unity, saying the sacredness of family ties should inform how policies are written and applied.

Community leaders argued that dignified treatment of migrants signals respect for the rule of law by reinforcing trust in institutions, rather than fraying it through actions they see as overly aggressive.

“The goal was to bring hope and calm to a tense place, not to heighten conflict.”
— Organizer (paraphrased)

National movement and next steps

Miramar’s prayer service aligns with a national trend in 2025, with Catholic and interfaith groups holding similar events at ICE sites across the country. Organizers say this networked approach reflects a common message:

1. Uphold the dignity of all families
2. Ensure fair procedures
3. Prioritize compassion in detention practices

They view prayer as both personal and public—an appeal to conscience and a call for practical steps that reduce harm.

Planned next steps include:

• Regular, quiet prayer outside the facility
• Outreach to local congregations to provide accompaniment for migrants during check-ins and court dates
• Meetings with community partners to ensure families know where to find legal help and pastoral care

While Wednesday’s event did not include civil disobedience, organizers signaled they intend to keep a steady schedule of visible, peaceful presence in the months ahead.

For official information about detention and enforcement operations, readers can consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Organizers said they want people attending the Miramar ICE facility to understand their appointments and obligations, while also feeling seen and supported by their community.

Faith tradition and long-term perspective

The prayer service reflected a long history of faith-based advocacy in immigration policy debates. Catholic social teaching and many interfaith statements emphasize:

• Welcoming the stranger
• Protecting families
• Ensuring fair treatment for all who come in contact with government systems

Participants said those principles guided their decision to gather and pray in public, even as they recognized that policy choices are complex and carry real-world consequences.

Volunteers offered brief greetings to arriving families, using simple phrases of support and directing people to community partners if they asked for help. Faith leaders said they plan to keep these interactions short and respectful so as not to disrupt federal operations or interfere with appointments.

Local impact and human costs

The Miramar ICE facility, near the Krome North Service Processing Center, is a regular site for check-ins and processing. That routine nature is why faith groups chose the location—they wanted to be near families at the moment when stress often peaks and to show that the wider community cares about what happens there.

Organizers say this proximity allows them to:

• Hear concerns from families directly
• Spot patterns that inform future actions
• Shape prayer services to respond to real needs

Advocates pointed to the wider human toll when a parent is detained:

• Children may miss school days
• Households can lose access to income
• Families may face sudden moves to live with relatives

Congregations see these impacts up close—changed school drop-offs, lost wages, and quiet worry at community gatherings. Prayer is one tool among many that helps families cope while longer-term policy discussions continue in Washington.

At the same time, participants recognized that government agencies carry out the law and that officers on the ground work within set rules. The Miramar group’s message was that enforcement should be balanced with careful attention to family unity and due process. They called on national leaders to review policies to ensure they do not cause harm beyond what the law intends.

Continuing commitment

Wednesday’s gathering ended with a commitment to keep showing up. Organizers said they will return in November and invite other congregations to join, with a focus on peace, respect, and compassion.

The Miramar prayer service is one part of a wider movement to support migrant families during a difficult period and to keep the public’s attention on how policies play out in everyday life. VisaVerge.com reports that such consistent, peaceful presence can shape local discussions and help communities stay informed while national debates continue.