Faith leaders across Los Angeles are rallying congregants and resources in response to a series of immigration enforcement actions that have sparked outrage. The raids, conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have targeted Latino communities and even a church food bank, causing a sharp drop in attendance.
Pastor Kevin Kang of a United Methodist church in Tujunga was furious after learning that ICE agents used his church's parking lot to prepare for a raid on Mexican food trucks. Kang rallied congregants to put up signs declaring 'ICE activities not welcome' and procured walkie-talkies to report ICE movements. 'When I look at the scripture, when I look at the message and story of Jesus, he constantly is telling us to defend the most vulnerable,' said Kang, a son of Korean immigrants.
Since federal agents descended on Los Angeles on 6 June, dozens of faith leaders have marched in protests and mobilised to serve undocumented immigrants. 'To not speak out is to be complicit in saying that some of us are disposable,' said Eddie Anderson, senior pastor at McCarty Memorial Christian church. Anderson noted that faith leaders can play a crucial role in de-escalating tensions at demonstrations.
The raids have directly affected church services. At Downey Memorial Christian church, officers reportedly arrested a man in the parking lot and pointed a gun at senior pastor Tanya Lopez when she questioned them. The Trump administration's reversal of a policy limiting arrests at 'sensitive locations' like churches has further heightened tensions.
Kang's church runs a food bank serving about 300 people weekly, but attendance fell by 30% last week. 'Basically all our Latino community members stopped coming to the pantry,' he said. Los Angeles County is home to nearly one million undocumented immigrants, and at least 330 have been arrested in the past week and a half.
In response, the network Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (Clue) has established a bail fund and launched a 'Summer of Resistance' campaign, including prayer vigils and fasting. 'It's been a place where people of conscience trying to build a better city have gathered to protest,' said the Rev Jennifer Gutierrez, Clue's executive director, referring to Placita Olvera, a historic site of past social justice movements.
