Political Nativity Displays at US Places of Worship Push Back on ICE

Across the US, satirical holiday exhibits are on display that mock hardline government immigration crackdowns. These installations reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures affected by the tactics of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Retelling in Evanston

One striking installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois shows baby Jesus placed within a crib out in the snow. However, the figure is wrapped in the kind of thin, foil blankets often distributed to detainees and has its hands bound with zip-ties.

Nearby, the figure of the Virgin Mary stands outside the church, equipped with a respirator. Such gear has been adopted by protesters seeking to guard against tear gas. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are dressed in body armor marked with the letters “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Chicago place of worship, the usual models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard nativity scene with animals and wise men. Instead, a placard bears a simple statement: “Due to enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period where we have displays out on the lawn and we get an opportunity to make a statement,” remarked a church leader behind one of the displays.

Messages Echo Across the Country

These visual protests reflect the visible role taken by faith leaders in recent demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Similar political exhibits have been erected in multiple states.

In one New England state, a parish took away the small statue of Christ from its creche. In its spot was a handmade sign that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish are said to have remained firm despite complaints from various diocesan and agency leadership.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Contemporary Issue

According to those behind these displays, framing the age-old tale of Christ’s birth within a contemporary political frame draws attention to current government priorities. They argue that the family's status as refugees parallels the actual fears and experiences of numerous households today, including being torn apart and the deportation of working loved ones.

It is not the initial instance churches have employed nativity scenes for political protest. In previous years, installations have highlighted topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency.

Encountering Pushback and Enduring Storms

The messages are not always universally welcomed. A clergy member involved noted that some detractors either do not fully understand the intent or “consider it really difficult to their conscience and are lashing out at the art rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also affected one scene. At a separate church, the statue 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 victims of immigration enforcement terror.”