Immigrant-Friendly Chicago Church Halts In-Person Spanish Services Due To Deportation Fears Under Trump

NBC News reported back in mid-December that President-elect Donald Trump is planning to remove a long-standing policy that stops Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting undocumented immigrants from sensitive places like churches, schools, hospitals, and events like funerals, weddings and public protests.

The initiative would align with the upcoming administration's plans to conduct mass deportation and give ICE more power to arrest undocumented migrants swiftly. "A lot of churches, faith communities are very concerned that there could be backlash," said a deacon at a church in Arizona to the outlet, foreshadowing what could eventually be a sentiment shared by congregations across the country.

Now a new piece by The Chicago Tribune reports that Lincoln United Methodist Church in Chicago, known for its longstanding support of undocumented immigrants, has suspended in-person Spanish-language services, citing concerns over potential immigration raids under President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.

The church, which also serves as headquarters of Centro Sin Fronteras, a nonprofit pro-immigrant-rights organization announced it will now hold Spanish services virtually, while English-language services will continue in person.

The decision, announced by Pastor Emma Lozano, follows warnings from Trump's designated border czar, Tom Homan, who has labeled Chicago a focal point for upcoming immigration policies.

Homan told Illinois Republicans in December that Chicago will be "ground zero" for the administration's mass deportation plans, threatening the city's Mayor Brandon Johnson by saying that if he "doesn't want to help" then he should "get the hell out of the way." Johnson has previously stated that the city will "not bend or break" to harsh immigration policies.

Homan has emphasized enforcement, stating that arrests may include not only undocumented individuals with criminal records but also those accompanying them. While the administration has stated it does not intend to separate families, Homan admitted such separations might occur during enforcement operations.

"We must take their threats seriously and prepare for the worst," said Pastor Lozano to the Chicago Tribune. Lozano, whose church has previously faced vandalism and threats from right-wing extremists added that "we've seen what Trump is capable of, he had a first round and knew how to attack better this time."

Besides the glaring consequences for immigrants, experts like Alfredo Lozano who is an immigration lawyer who specializes in everything from business-based to family-based visas, believes the impact of mass deportations will be felt across the community, encompassing everyone from employers to home owners and tax payers. As he told The Latin Times:

"The consequences of deporting millions of persons, or hundreds of thousands, do not stay within 'their vacuum' or in their backyard. The economic and psychological impact will be felt not just by the immigrant community but by everyone who lives in the U.S. "