Methodists Slam ICE for Raids on Church Grounds

Key Takeaways

• ICE’s new 2025 policy allows arrests in churches, schools, and hospitals, ending 2023 protected-area limits.
• Western North Carolina Conference and 24 religious groups sued DHS and ICE over expanded enforcement policies.
• Church attendance among immigrants decreased due to fear; state legislature divided on ICE cooperation bills.

The intersection of immigration enforcement and religious freedom has become a focal point of debate in the United States 🇺🇸, especially following recent policy changes by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This analysis examines the response of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and other faith groups to ICE’s revised enforcement policies, focusing on the implications for religious institutions, immigrant communities, and broader legal and social trends.

Purpose and Scope

This content aims to provide a comprehensive, objective analysis of the recent conflict between ICE and religious organizations, particularly Methodists, regarding immigration enforcement in previously protected spaces such as churches. It will:

• Outline the background and scope of ICE’s policy changes
• Present the methodology and sources used in the analysis
• Summarize key findings and data, including legal actions and community responses
• Compare current trends with past practices
• Offer evidence-based conclusions and discuss limitations

Methodology

This analysis draws on primary news reports, official statements from the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, legislative records, and direct quotes from faith leaders. Data is presented in a narrative format, with visual descriptions of trends and patterns. Official government sources, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are referenced to provide authoritative context. The keywords “Methodists,” “ICE,” and “Western North Carolina Conference” are integrated throughout to maintain focus and relevance.

Key Findings

• ICE’s new enforcement policies now allow agents to conduct operations in churches and other locations previously considered “safe havens.”
• The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, along with other religious groups, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging these changes.
• Faith leaders report increased fear and decreased attendance among immigrant congregants since the policy shift.
• State-level legislative efforts in North Carolina both support and oppose increased ICE cooperation, reflecting a divided political landscape.
• The debate highlights tensions between religious values, legal obligations, and immigration enforcement.

Background: Policy Changes and Their Scope

In February 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a directive that significantly changed how ICE operates in “protected areas.” The new policy:

• Rescinded the 2023 policy that had limited ICE enforcement in certain locations
• Removed restrictions on ICE actions near courthouses
• Eliminated the requirement for prior approval before making arrests in previously protected areas
• Granted ICE officers more discretion to make arrests at locations like churches, schools, and hospitals

Previously, the 2023 policy had been designed to ensure that people could access essential services—such as worship, education, and healthcare—without fear of arrest or deportation. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes have sparked concern among both religious and immigrant communities, who see the new rules as a threat to the safety and sanctity of their institutions.

Visual Description: Policy Shift Timeline

• 2023: ICE limited enforcement in “protected areas” (churches, schools, hospitals)
• February 2025: DHS rescinds these protections, allowing ICE more freedom to operate in these spaces

This timeline shows a clear reversal in federal policy, with significant implications for both immigrants and the organizations that serve them.

Legal Challenges: The Methodist Response

The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, joined by 24 other religious organizations, filed a federal lawsuit in February 2025 against DHS, ICE, and related agencies. The lawsuit seeks to:

• Halt the new ICE procedures that allow enforcement in churches and other protected spaces
• Restore previous protections for religious institutions

Aimee Yeager, a spokesperson for the Western North Carolina Conference, stated, “Places of worship are places where ICE should not be able to conduct enforcement actions without a judicial warrant.” She also noted that church attendance has already dropped since the new policies took effect.

Guidance for Churches

In response to the policy changes, the Western North Carolina Conference has issued clear instructions to its member churches:

• Ask ICE agents for a judicial warrant before allowing entry
• Do not assist or provide information to ICE officers without proper documentation

This guidance is intended to protect both church staff and congregants, ensuring that religious spaces remain as safe as possible under the new rules.

Community Impact: Fear and Declining Attendance

The impact of these changes is already being felt in local communities. According to faith leaders:

• Attendance at church services has decreased, especially among immigrant members
• Fear of ICE raids has spread, making it harder for churches to provide support and services
• Congregations feel less secure, despite efforts by religious leaders to reassure them

Pastor Pilar Perez of Hickory Grove United Methodist Church’s Latino ministry in east Charlotte explained, “We’re a church of social justice because that’s what Jesus preached. That’s the way churches should go. They should go by the scripture which defends the neighbors, the immigrants, as Jesus was one and his family.”

Pastor Rudy Lopez of Iglesia Restauración Familiar, a Spanish-language Pentecostal church, echoed these concerns: “Churches should be a place of refuge for people to come and serve God. The Bible tells us that we have to welcome immigrants, we have to give them support.”

Visual Description: Community Reactions

• Congregants express fear of attending services
• Church leaders hold informational sessions to explain rights and protections
• Some churches see a drop in volunteer participation due to concerns about ICE presence

State-Level Legislative Responses

The debate over ICE enforcement in religious spaces is also playing out at the state level. In North Carolina:

• Democratic lawmakers have introduced two bills to prohibit law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement at religious institutions, schools, hospitals, farmland, and construction sites
• Republican majorities in both chambers make passage of these bills unlikely

At the same time, the state House passed House Bill 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, which would:

• Require sheriffs to hold undocumented inmates for 48 hours past their release date
• Mandate notification of ICE two hours before an inmate’s release
• Expand the list of criminal offenses for which jails must determine legal status

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has criticized the bill, saying, “Rushed and poorly conceived broad proposals, drafted without input from local sheriffs who are actively engaged in immigration, crime, and social justice matters, fail to produce effective solutions or foster real community engagement.” However, he has also stated that he would comply with the law if it passes.

Comparisons and Trends

Before 2025:
– Protected areas policy allowed immigrants to attend church, school, and seek medical care without fear of ICE enforcement
– Churches and other religious institutions served as sanctuaries for vulnerable populations

After February 2025:
– ICE has broader authority to conduct operations in churches and other previously protected spaces
– Faith communities report increased fear and decreased participation among immigrant members
– Legal and legislative battles intensify at both federal and state levels

Pattern Analysis

• Religious organizations are increasingly active in legal and political advocacy related to immigration enforcement
• Immigrant communities are more cautious about participating in public and religious life
• State and federal policies are moving in opposite directions, with some states seeking to limit ICE’s reach while federal policy expands it

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• The policy change by ICE has had a direct, negative impact on church attendance and participation among immigrant communities, as reported by both faith leaders and official church representatives.
• The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and other religious groups have responded with legal action, seeking to restore previous protections for religious spaces.
• State-level legislative efforts reflect deep divisions over immigration enforcement, with some lawmakers seeking to shield religious institutions and others pushing for greater cooperation with ICE.
• The tension between religious values and immigration enforcement is likely to persist, with ongoing legal challenges and community advocacy shaping the future landscape.

Limitations

• Data on church attendance is largely anecdotal, based on reports from faith leaders rather than comprehensive surveys.
• Legal outcomes are pending, so the long-term impact of the lawsuit and state legislation remains uncertain.
• The analysis focuses on North Carolina, but similar conflicts may be occurring in other states with different local dynamics.

Practical Guidance for Churches and Immigrant Communities

• Churches should request a judicial warrant from ICE agents before allowing entry. For more information on warrants and legal rights, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s official page.
• Employees and volunteers should not assist ICE officers without proper documentation.
• Congregants should be informed of their rights and encouraged to seek legal advice if they have concerns about immigration enforcement.

Summary Table: Key Policy Changes and Responses

Visual Description: Stakeholder Map

• Methodists and other faith groups: Advocating for religious freedom and immigrant protection
• ICE: Implementing new enforcement policies with broader authority
• State lawmakers: Divided between expanding and limiting ICE’s reach
• Immigrant communities: Experiencing increased fear and reduced participation in public life

Conclusion

The conflict between ICE and religious organizations, particularly the Methodists of the Western North Carolina Conference, highlights the complex relationship between immigration enforcement and religious freedom in the United States 🇺🇸. The recent policy changes have led to increased fear among immigrant communities and prompted legal and legislative challenges from faith groups and their allies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of these efforts will have significant implications for both religious institutions and the immigrants they serve.

Churches and other religious organizations are encouraged to stay informed about their rights and responsibilities, seek legal guidance when necessary, and continue advocating for the protection of vulnerable populations. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal proceedings and potential changes in both federal and state policies. For the latest updates and official information, consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other reputable government sources.

By understanding the current landscape and taking practical steps to protect their communities, Methodists and other faith groups can continue to play a vital role in supporting immigrants and upholding the values of compassion and justice that are central to their mission.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agency enforcing immigration laws and removals nationwide.
Protected Areas → Locations like churches, schools, hospitals where ICE enforcement was limited to protect vulnerable populations.
Judicial Warrant → A legal document authorizing law enforcement to conduct searches or arrests in specific locations.
Western North Carolina Conference → Regional body of the United Methodist Church involved in legal actions against ICE policies.
HB 318 → North Carolina law increasing ICE cooperation for holding undocumented inmates pre-release and notifying authorities.

This Article in a Nutshell

ICE reversed protections for churches in 2025, sparking fear and legal battles led by the United Methodist Church. These changes threaten immigrant safety and religious freedom, causing attendance drops and legislative debates in North Carolina. Faith groups urge churches to demand warrants before ICE enters to protect congregants and sacred spaces.
— By VisaVerge.com