Political Christmas Scenes at US Places of Worship Push Back on Immigration Enforcement

Across the US, Christmas displays are on display that mock aggressive government immigration policies. These scenes retell the traditional Christmas story, depicting the newborn Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.

An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb

One striking installation at a congregation 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 emergency thermal blankets often given to detainees and has its hands bound with plastic restraints.

Nearby, the statue of Mary is positioned just outside the church, equipped with a gas mask. This item has been adopted by activists attempting to guard against chemical agents. She is flanked by figures of Roman soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Chicago place of worship, the customary figures of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the traditional display with animals and Magi. Instead, a sign carries a simple message: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period where we have public art out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” said a senior minister behind one of the displays.

Messages Echo Across the Country

These visual protests reflect the prominent role taken by faith leaders in ongoing protests against federal policies. Comparable political exhibits have appeared in multiple states.

In one New England state, a church removed the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish reportedly stood defiant despite complaints from both diocesan and government leadership.

Linking Biblical Narrative and Contemporary Issue

For those behind these scenes, framing the age-old story of Christ’s birth within a modern political frame helps bring attention to ongoing government priorities. They contend that the family's status as refugees mirrors the actual anxieties and experiences of numerous households today, including being torn apart and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones.

It is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for political protest. Previously, installations have highlighted issues ranging from conflict to the climate crisis.

Encountering Pushback and Enduring the Elements

The messages are not always universally welcomed. A church minister participating noted that some detractors either misinterpret the message or “consider it very difficult to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the art rather than engaging with what the true meaning is.”

In a physical sense, the weather have also impacted one scene. At another location, the figure of St. Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and could not be repaired. A substitute notice now occupies the spot, declaring: “Joseph didn’t make it. We keep this place to honor and remember all the those affected of enforcement actions.”