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In Broadview, Illinois, a poignant scene unfolded on Wednesday morning as faith leaders from the Chicago area gathered at the ICE Detention Facility. Their intentions were clear: to offer prayers and conduct a Christmas communion for the detainees inside. However, their hopes of entering the facility were dashed, forcing them to hold their prayer service outside its walls.
Interestingly, up until this fall, religious figures such as priests and nuns had been granted access to the interior of the facility. This recent change in protocol prompted the group to take action. Last week, they addressed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, urging the agency to reinstate their previous level of access.
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The situation has become more pressing, with some faith leaders expressing their alarm at the increasing number of detentions in the Chicago area last week. Their gathering speaks to a broader call for compassion and spiritual support amidst these challenging circumstances.
The group sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security last week, demanding that same access.
Some said they are horrified after seeing that more people were detained last week in the Chicago area.
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A DHS spokesperson shared the following statement late Friday:
“The facility in Broadview, IL is a field office, it is not a detention facility. Illegal aliens are only briefly held there for processing before being transferred to a detention facility. Religious organizations are more than welcome to provide services to detainees in ICE detention facilities. Even before the attacks on the Broadview facility, it was not within standard operating procedure for religious services to be provided in a field office, as detainees are continuously brought in, processed, and transferred out.
“In addition, rioters have repeatedly attacked the Broadview field office and Illinois streets, creating serious safety concerns for personnel and detainees alike. They created serious public safety and officer safety threats: assaulting law enforcement, attacking law enforcement with vehicles, throwing tear gas cans, slashing tires, been arrested with firearms in their possession, blocking the entrance of the building, and trespassing on private property.
“ICE staff has repeatedly informed religious organizations that due to Broadview’s status as a field office and the ongoing threat to civilians, detainees, and officers, they for safety, they are not able to accommodate these requests at this time.”
