Satirical Nativity Scenes at American Churches Offer Commentary on ICE

Throughout the US, Christmas displays are on display that critique aggressive federal immigration policies. These scenes retell the traditional nativity story, depicting the infant Jesus and his family, Mary and Joseph, as victims caught up in the tactics of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Interpretation in a Chicago Suburb

One powerful installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois features the infant Christ lying in a crib amidst snow. Yet, the figure is covered by the kind of emergency blankets frequently given to detainees and has its hands secured by plastic restraints.

Close by, the figure of Mary stands just outside the church, wearing a respirator. This item has been used by activists attempting protection from chemical agents. Beside her are representations of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are wearing body armor labeled with the letters “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At another Windy City church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display with camels and donkeys and Magi. In their place, a placard carries a direct statement: “Because of ICE activity in our neighborhood the holy family is in seclusion.”

“Christmas is a time when we have public art in front of the church and we get an chance to say something,” said a church leader behind one of the displays.

Messages Spread Nationwide

These visual protests reflect the visible role taken by religious communities in ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious displays have appeared in multiple states.

In one New England state, a church removed the small statue of the baby Jesus from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that read: “ICE was here.” The parish are said to have stood defiant in the face of complaints from various diocesan and government leadership.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

For the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a modern political context draws attention to ongoing government agendas. They argue that the family's status as refugees parallels the real fears and experiences of numerous households today, encompassing family separation and the removal of breadwinning loved ones.

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

Encountering Criticism and Weathering Storms

The statements are not always widely accepted. A church minister involved noted that some critics either do not fully understand the intent or “consider it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the display rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a physical way, the weather have also impacted one scene. At a separate church, the statue of Joseph was blown down in a storm and was unable to be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the space, stating: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”