Political Nativity Scenes at US Churches Push Back on ICE

Across the United States, satirical holiday displays are on display that mock aggressive federal immigration crackdowns. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the newborn Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.

A Stark Retelling in Evanston

One powerful display at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows the infant Christ lying in a crib out in the snow. Yet, the figure is covered by the kind of thin, foil blankets often given to detainees and has its hands bound with zip-ties.

Nearby, the figure of Mary stands just outside the church, equipped with a respirator. This item has been adopted by activists attempting to guard against chemical agents. She is flanked by representations of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are wearing body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At a different Chicago church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are conspicuously absent from the traditional nativity scene with camels and donkeys and Magi. In their place, a sign bears a direct statement: “Because of enforcement actions in our community the holy family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a time where we have displays in front of the church and we get an chance to make a statement,” remarked a senior minister involved with one of the displays.

Statements Spread Nationwide

These artistic statements reflect the visible role played by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Similar political displays have been erected in multiple states.

In one New England state, a parish took away the small statue of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a handmade sign that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm in the face of complaints from various diocesan and agency officials.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

According to the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a contemporary political context draws focus to ongoing government agendas. They argue that the family's status as displaced persons parallels the actual anxieties and realities of many households today, encompassing being torn apart and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones.

This is not the initial instance congregations have used Christmas displays for social commentary. In previous years, installations have addressed topics ranging from conflict to the climate crisis.

Encountering Pushback and Enduring Storms

The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved noted that some critics either do not fully understand the message or “consider it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the art rather than considering what the true meaning is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also affected one display. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and was unable to be repaired. A replacement sign now occupies the spot, stating: “Joseph didn’t make it. We hold this space to honor and remember all the victims of enforcement actions.”