Provocative Nativity Scenes at US Churches Push Back on ICE

Throughout the United States, satirical holiday displays are on display that mock aggressive federal immigration enforcement crackdowns. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Christ and his family, Mary and Joseph, as victims caught up in the actions of immigration authorities.

An Evocative Retelling in Evanston

One powerful display at a church in Evanston, Illinois features the infant Christ lying in a manger amidst snow. However, the figure is wrapped in the type of emergency blankets frequently distributed to detainees and has its hands secured by plastic restraints.

Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary stands just outside the church, wearing a respirator. This item has been adopted by protesters attempting protection from tear gas. Beside her are representations of ancient soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in tactical vests marked with the acronym “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At another Windy City place of worship, the usual figures of the holy family are conspicuously absent from the traditional display with camels and donkeys and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a direct statement: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the holy family is in seclusion.”

“Christmas is a time when we have displays in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” remarked a senior minister behind one of the installations.

Statements Echo Nationwide

These artistic statements are extensions of the visible part played by religious communities in recent protests against immigration enforcement. Comparable political displays have been erected in multiple states.

In one New England state, a church removed the small statue of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that stated: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm despite criticism from both diocesan and agency officials.

Connecting Ancient Story and Modern Crisis

For those behind these scenes, framing the ancient tale of the nativity within a contemporary political context draws focus to current administrative agendas. They argue that the family's experience as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and realities of numerous households today, encompassing family separation and the removal of working family members.

This is not the first time congregations have employed Christmas displays for social commentary. Previously, displays have addressed issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency.

Encountering Pushback and Weathering the Elements

The messages are not always universally welcomed. A clergy member participating commented that some detractors either do not fully understand the message or “consider it very difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also affected one display. At a separate location, the figure of St. Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and could not be restored. A substitute notice now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the those affected of immigration enforcement actions.”