Provocative Nativity Scenes at US Places of Worship Push Back on ICE

Across the United States, Christmas displays are on display that mock hardline government immigration enforcement policies. These installations reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as figures caught up in the tactics of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Retelling in Evanston

One striking installation at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston features the infant Christ lying in a crib amidst snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the type of thin, foil blankets frequently given to those in custody and has its wrists secured by zip-ties.

Nearby, the statue of the Virgin Mary stands outside the church, equipped with a gas mask. Such gear has been used by activists seeking to guard against chemical agents. She is flanked by figures of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At another Chicago place of worship, the customary models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the traditional display with animals and Magi. Instead, a sign bears a simple message: “Due to enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period when we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to say something,” said a senior minister behind one of the displays.

Messages Echo Across the Country

These visual protests are extensions of the prominent part played by faith leaders in ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious exhibits have been erected in other states.

In Massachusetts, a parish took away the small statue of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish reportedly stood defiant in the face of criticism from both diocesan and government leadership.

Connecting Ancient Story and Contemporary Issue

For those behind these scenes, presenting the age-old tale of the nativity within a modern political context draws attention to ongoing administrative agendas. They argue that the family's experience as displaced persons parallels the real anxieties and experiences of many households today, including family separation and the deportation of working family members.

This is not the initial instance congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. In previous years, displays have highlighted issues ranging from war to the climate crisis.

Encountering Pushback and Enduring the Elements

The messages are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating commented that some critics either misinterpret the intent or “consider it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than considering what the actual message is.”

In a physical way, the elements have also affected one scene. At a separate church, the figure of St. Joseph was blown down in a storm and was unable to be repaired. A replacement sign now marks the space, stating: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to memorialize all the those affected of immigration enforcement actions.”