ICE Agents Detain Migrants on Church Grounds at Two California Parishes

Key Takeaways

• ICE detained at least 12 migrants at two California churches in June 2025 after policy changes.
• Trump rescinded DHS guidance on sensitive locations, allowing arrests at churches since January 2025.
• Over 330 undocumented immigrants arrested statewide; majority lacked criminal records amid community fear.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have detained migrants on the grounds of two Catholic parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, in June 2025. These actions mark a sharp change in how immigration laws are enforced, especially after President Trump returned to office in January 2025 and quickly reversed earlier rules that had protected certain places—like churches, schools, and hospitals—from immigration raids. The events have caused fear, confusion, and anger among immigrant communities, religious leaders, and advocates across California.

ICE Raids on Church Grounds: What Happened and Why

In early to mid-June 2025, ICE agents carried out high-profile arrests at two churches in Downey, Los Angeles County: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and Downey Memorial Christian Church. According to reports, at least 12 migrants were detained at these and other locations, including nearby car washes. The most widely reported incident took place on June 11, 2025, when ICE agents arrested two migrants outside the Downey churches. One of those detained was an elderly man who had just dropped off his granddaughter at school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

These actions are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to step up immigration enforcement. In January 2025, President Trump rescinded Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance that had previously stopped ICE from making arrests at “sensitive locations.” This policy change now allows ICE agents to conduct enforcement actions on church property and other sites that were once considered off-limits.

The Policy Shift: From Protection to Enforcement

For many years, ICE avoided making arrests at places like churches, schools, and hospitals. This was known as the “sensitive locations” policy, and it was followed by both the Obama and Biden administrations. The idea was to let people attend church, send their kids to school, or get medical care without fear of being detained.

But in January 2025, President Trump ended this policy. ICE agents were once again allowed to enter and make arrests at these locations. In April 2025, a federal judge declined to block ICE from making arrests at places of worship, saying there was not enough evidence to show that churches were being targeted unfairly. This court decision left immigrant communities and their supporters with few legal options to stop the raids.

How the Raids Unfolded: Step-by-Step

The process of an ICE raid on church grounds usually follows a pattern:

1. Surveillance: ICE agents may watch church grounds or parking lots, sometimes in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles.
2. Detention: Agents approach targeted individuals, often outside the church, and detain them. In some cases, they use force or show weapons.
3. Identification: Agents may refuse to identify themselves or show warrants, which causes confusion and fear among bystanders.
4. Removal: Detainees are taken away in unmarked vehicles, sometimes with out-of-state license plates, to ICE facilities for processing.
5. Community Response: Religious leaders and advocates often try to intervene, document what happens, and provide legal support.

These steps have been described by witnesses and church leaders, including Pastor Alfredo Lopez of Downey Memorial Christian Church. He said that armed men in bulletproof vests detained a Latino man and refused to identify themselves. One agent even drew a rifle on his wife, who is the church’s senior pastor.

The Human Impact: Fear, Disruption, and Loss

The raids have had a deep effect on immigrant communities and church life. Many immigrants are now afraid to attend in-person church services. Some churches have lost up to half their congregations. Father Ricardo Gonzalez of Our Lady of Lourdes Church reported a 30% drop in attendance and said he feels personal fear as a green card holder.

Programs for children and community support services have been canceled or moved online because people are afraid of being detained. Some individuals have even postponed medical treatment or gone into hiding to avoid detection by ICE agents.

Religious leaders, including those from the Diocese of San Bernardino and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, have strongly condemned the raids. They have called for the restoration of sanctuary protections and have spoken out against what they see as an attack on the right to worship freely.

Numbers and Data: The Scope of Enforcement

Since the renewed enforcement began in June 2025, the Trump administration reports that 330 undocumented immigrants have been arrested in California. Of these, 115 had a criminal history, but most did not. At least 14 church members were detained in Los Angeles-area raids in early June, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

These numbers show that the majority of those arrested did not have criminal records, raising concerns that the raids are sweeping up people whose only offense is being in the United States 🇺🇸 without proper documents.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from All Sides

Religious Leaders

Pastors and priests have been among the most vocal critics of the raids. Pastor Alfredo Lopez described the fear and confusion caused when ICE agents arrived at Downey Memorial Christian Church. The Diocese of San Bernardino and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles have both issued public statements condemning the actions and urging the government to respect the sanctity of religious spaces.

Government Officials

ICE spokespersons have declined to discuss current policies, citing ongoing lawsuits. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS assistant secretary, denied that ICE was present in Downey on the day of one reported raid, calling it a “false narrative.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has objected to the federalization of the California National Guard, which was deployed along with Marines to respond to protests sparked by the raids.

Advocates and Experts

Victor Narro of the UCLA Labor Center called the raids “a harmful form of racial profiling combined with the suspension of constitutional rights and due process.” Civil rights leaders and immigrant advocates have organized protests and are pushing for new laws to protect immigrants in places like churches and homeless shelters.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

The targeting of churches raises serious questions about the First Amendment, which protects the free exercise of religion and the right to gather. Legal scholars note that undocumented immigrants have limited constitutional protections, especially after recent court rulings that have favored ICE’s authority to make arrests at religious sites.

California lawmakers are trying to pass bills that would protect immigrants in semi-public spaces, but these efforts face strong opposition from the federal government and legal uncertainty. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the legal landscape remains unclear, and affected communities are left with few options for recourse.

Community Response: Protests and Adaptation

The raids have sparked widespread protests across California. Religious leaders, advocates, and community members have taken to the streets to denounce the enforcement actions and demand the restoration of sanctuary protections. Churches are increasing security, moving services online, and developing support networks for families affected by the raids.

Advocacy groups are working to document abuses, provide legal aid, and push for policy changes at both the state and federal levels. Some churches are offering “know your rights” workshops and connecting people with rapid response networks that can provide immediate help during a raid.

The Sanctuary Movement: A Historical Perspective

The idea of churches offering sanctuary to undocumented immigrants is not new. It dates back to the 1980s, when many churches opened their doors to Central American refugees fleeing violence. Under the Obama and Biden administrations, ICE generally respected these sanctuary spaces. The current wave of enforcement represents a major break from this tradition and has reignited debates over the role of churches in protecting vulnerable people.

Policy Implications: What’s Next?

Legislative Action

California and other states are considering new laws to protect immigrants in semi-public spaces, including churches and homeless shelters. However, federal law often takes precedence over state law, making it difficult for states to shield immigrants from ICE enforcement. Ongoing lawsuits may eventually clarify the limits of federal power at religious sites, but recent court decisions have mostly favored ICE.

Community Adaptation

Churches and advocacy groups are adapting to the new reality by:

• Increasing security and surveillance around church property
• Moving services and community programs online
• Providing legal aid and rapid response support
• Educating congregants about their rights during encounters with ICE agents

These steps are meant to protect vulnerable community members and maintain the sense of safety that churches have long provided.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Allies

If you or someone you know is concerned about ICE enforcement at a church or other sensitive location, here are some steps you can take:

• Know Your Rights: You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. ICE agents must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter private areas of a church.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted sources like the ICE official website and local immigrant rights organizations.
• Connect with Support Networks: Many communities have rapid response teams and legal aid groups that can help during a raid.
• Document Incidents: If you witness a raid, safely record what happens and share the information with advocacy groups.

Official Resources

• ICE Official Website: For information on ICE policies, enforcement actions, and contact details.
• San Bernardino Diocese: Updates and statements from the Diocese of San Bernardino.
• Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: Resources and support for affected church members.
• California Immigrant Policy Center: Advocacy and policy updates for immigrants in California.

Summary Table: Key Facts

The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Resilience

The detention of migrants on church grounds in California marks a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement. It reverses years of policy that respected the sanctity of religious spaces and has generated widespread fear, disrupted community life, and provoked strong opposition from religious leaders, advocates, and state officials.

With legal protections uncertain and federal policy firmly in favor of aggressive enforcement, affected communities are bracing for continued raids. Churches like Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and others in the Diocese of San Bernardino are seeking new ways to support their members, maintain their missions, and stand up for the rights of all people, regardless of immigration status.

For those at risk, staying informed, connected, and prepared is more important than ever. As the situation develops, advocacy and support networks will play a key role in helping families and communities cope with the ongoing challenges of immigration enforcement.

For more information on your rights and available resources, visit the ICE official website or reach out to local legal aid organizations. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that while the legal landscape remains unsettled, community resilience and advocacy will continue to shape the response to these unprecedented enforcement actions.

Learn Today

ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and deportations.
Sensitive Locations Policy → A former DHS rule protecting places like churches from immigration enforcement actions.
DHS → Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. federal department overseeing immigration enforcement agencies.
Sanctuary → A policy or space protecting undocumented immigrants from immigration arrests in designated areas.
Warrant → A legal document authorizing law enforcement to conduct arrests or searches.

This Article in a Nutshell

In June 2025, ICE began arresting migrants at California churches after Trump ended sanctuary protections. These raids disrupted communities, instilling fear and lowering church attendance. Religious leaders condemned the enforcement, which challenges long-standing protections and raises constitutional concerns. Immigrants and advocates now seek legal aid and policy responses amid uncertainty.
— By VisaVerge.com