Churches across the United States are using unconventional nativity scenes to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies. The displays, which have appeared in several states, depict the Holy Family as victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics.
At Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois, baby Jesus lies in a manger wrapped in an emergency foil blanket, with his wrists zip-tied. Mary wears a gas mask, and Roman soldiers in the scene are dressed in tactical vests labelled 'ICE'. Another church in Chicago, Urban Village, removed the Holy Family from its nativity scene, replacing them with a sign reading: 'Due to ICE activity in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.'
Similar displays have been erected in Massachusetts. At St Susanna Parish in Dedham, the figure of Christ was removed and replaced with a sign saying 'ICE was here'. The church has a history of politically themed nativity scenes, including one in 2018 with baby Jesus in a cage to protest family separations at the border.
Church leaders say the displays highlight the plight of refugees and migrants. Michael Woolf, senior minister at Lake Street Church, stated: 'Christmas is a time when we have public art out on the lawn and we get an opportunity to say something.' Jillian Westerfield, associate minister, added that critics either misunderstand the message or 'find it really challenging to their conscience'.
