Catholic parishes across Washington, D.C. are grappling with rising fear as immigration arrests affect Spanish-speaking congregations. At the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, six parishioners were recently detained by federal agents, including one usher on his way to Mass. Other parishes have reported declining attendance and heightened anxiety, as parish leaders scramble to protect their communities while navigating the Trump administration’s tough enforcement measures.
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Federal Deployment in D.C.
The latest wave of concern comes after the Trump administration announced the deployment of federal agents and the National Guard on August 11. The move, aimed at combating crime in Washington, D.C., has intensified cooperation between local police and immigration enforcement. Under a new executive order from Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, city officers are now authorized to notify ICE of undocumented migrants they encounter, paving the way for closer collaboration with federal officials.
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Parishioners Detained by ICE
At Sacred Heart Shrine in Columbia Heights, six parishioners have been detained in recent weeks. Pastor Father Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap, shared that one detainee was preparing for marriage, while another was in a confirmation class. Some were stopped by agents on their way to catechetical programs. “WhatsApp chats have been filled with immigration agent sightings and warnings to parish members,” the pastor told Religion News Service. He added that Mass attendance has fallen by about 20 percent, dropping from 2,500 to under 2,000.
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Impact on Faith Communities
Beyond Sacred Heart, other parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington are also reporting disruption. St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Petworth has seen attendance fall, according to parish leaders. Meanwhile, members of Our Lady Queen of the Americas parish in Northwest D.C. have voiced deep concern, particularly since many live in neighborhoods like Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant, where detentions have been reported.
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Parish Response to Fear
Kevin Arevalo, communications director at Our Lady Queen of the Americas, explained how church leaders are preparing new ways to connect with parishioners. “We’re looking at using digital media and our channels, our online channels, to reach out to them and serve them in whatever best way possible we can,” he said. Arevalo added that no parishioners have been detained while attending Mass there, but fears remain widespread.
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ICE Defends Enforcement
In a statement last month to CNA, an ICE spokesperson pushed back against criticism. “While ICE is not subject to previous restrictions on immigration operations at sensitive locations, to include schools, churches, and courthouses, ICE does not indiscriminately take enforcement actions at these locations,” the spokesperson said. The agency emphasized that it targets individuals who commit crimes or violate immigration laws and stressed that all undocumented individuals may be subject to arrest and removal.
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Growing Digital Outreach
With attendance dropping and parishioners fearful, church leaders are moving toward alternative pastoral care. Father James Morrison and Kevin Arevalo at Our Lady Queen of the Americas are focusing on digital outreach to maintain connections. “We definitely won’t stay quiet about this because our parish, the majority, is Hispanic-Latino community,” Arevalo said. “So you want to make sure that we’re listening to them and we’re attentive to what they’re going through.”
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Silence from Archdiocese
At the time of publication, the Archdiocese of Washington had not issued a statement regarding the situation. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also declined to comment, leaving parish leaders and communities to manage the fear and disruption largely on their own.