Political Christmas Scenes at American Churches Push Back on ICE

Across the US, Christmas displays are on display that comment on aggressive federal immigration enforcement crackdowns. These installations retell the traditional nativity story, depicting the newborn Jesus and his family, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the actions of immigration authorities.

An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb

One striking display at a church in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ placed within a crib out in the snow. However, the figure is wrapped in the type of emergency thermal blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its wrists bound with plastic restraints.

Nearby, the statue of Mary is positioned outside the church, wearing a respirator. This item has been used by activists attempting protection from tear gas. Beside her are figures of ancient soldiers, however in this scene they are wearing tactical vests marked with the acronym “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At a different Chicago church, the usual models of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the standard nativity scene featuring camels and donkeys and wise men. In their place, a placard carries a simple statement: “Due to enforcement actions in our neighborhood the holy family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period when we have displays in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” remarked a church leader involved with one of the displays.

Statements Spread Across the Country

These visual protests are extensions of the prominent part played by faith leaders in ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. Similar political displays have appeared in other states.

In one New England state, a parish removed the tiny figure of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from various diocesan and agency leadership.

Connecting Ancient Story and Modern Crisis

For the creators of these displays, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a contemporary political frame draws focus to ongoing government priorities. They contend that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons mirrors the actual anxieties and realities of numerous families today, including family separation and the removal of working loved ones.

It is not the initial instance congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. In previous years, displays have highlighted topics ranging from conflict to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Enduring the Elements

The statements are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some detractors either misinterpret the message or “consider it really challenging to their conscience and are lashing out at the art rather than engaging with what the actual meaning is.”

In a physical sense, the weather have also impacted one scene. At a separate location, the statue of Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and could not be repaired. A replacement sign now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”