Churches turn Nativity scenes into protests as immigration crackdowns intensify

Some U.S. churches are reimagining Nativity scenes — surrounding the Holy Family with ICE agents or separating Jesus from Mary and Joseph — to protest the Trump administration's intensifying immigration crackdowns.Why it matters: The displays have become one of the most visible acts of Christmas dissent amid ramped-up workplace raids, home arrests and new restrictions on asylum and legal immigration.The provocative Nativity scenes are part of a growing trend of Christian activism on immigration, especially among mainline Protestant churches, Catholic parishes and progressive evangelical groups. Zoom in: Lake Street Church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Ill., reimagined its Nativity scene with baby Jesus's hands zip-tied, Mary in a gas mask and figures dressed in tactical vests labeled "ICE." Vandals later destroyed the scene and decapitated the statue of Mary.In Charlotte, N.C., Missiongathering Church created a Nativity scene depicting masked immigration agents with bulletproof vests and handcuffs near the Holy Family. A vandal also damaged the scene, which was later restored.Urban Village Church in River Forest, Ill., erected a Nativity installation with no Mary, Joseph or baby Jesus, replaced by a sign reading "Due to ICE activity in our community the Holy Family is in hiding."St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Mass., replaced its traditional Nativity figures with a sign reading "ICE was here." Local Catholic archdiocesan leadership called for the sign's removal, saying parishioners "have the right to expect ... genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship — not divisive political messaging."Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas has erected an outdoor Nativity display inside a cage topped with razor wire, featuring a shopping cart and trash barrels."May this scene call us to make room — in our hearts, in our city, in our policies — for the Christ who comes as an unhoused immigrant child." Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison said in a statement. The Nativity scene with an absent baby Jesus and "Ice was here" sign sits at St. Susanna Church in Dedham, Mass., on December 8, 2025. Photo: Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesZoom out: The Interfaith Alliance this week launched a $300,000 digital and streaming ad campaign, set to "O Holy Night," that juxtaposed images of ICE agents detaining immigrants against scenes of families gathering together for Christmas.Interfaith Alliance president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis tells Axios the ad campaign's message is similar to that of the Nativity scenes."We're putting forth a vision of America rooted in what we think are the values of caring for one another, loving one another, protecting our neighbor."Brandeis said the Holy Family was sojourners who lived in a land run by an authoritarian and the Christmas story is supposed to remind us that peace can arise from that crisis. The other side: "Using a Christmas Nativity display to promote a political message is inappropriate, divisive, disrespectful and arguably sacrilegious," Catholic Action League executive director C. J. Doyle said in a statement. In a statement to Axios, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told those who have used Christmas Nativity scenes to protest immigration enforcement to "get a grip and seek help.""Not only is this 'nativity' scene offensive to Christians, but it is also depicting something that NEVER happens. ICE does not zip tie infants or children," she said.Context: In the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph was told through a dream that King Herod was sending soldiers to kill Jesus over fears that the infant is the new King of the Jews. Herod was the ruler of Judea, a semi-autonomous state under the Roman Empire.Joseph then gathered Mary and Jesus in the dead of night to flee to Egypt.They only returned to Judea after King Herod died.In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph was forced to take a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to register for the required Roman Empire census.She gave birth to Jesus and placed Him in a manger because "there was no room for them in the inn."