FAITH LEADERS PREVENTED BY ICE FROM GIVING COMMUNION TO IMMIGRANTS SPEAK OUT. (PHOTO).

 Faith leaders prevented by ICE from giving Communion to immigrants speak out

Faith leaders criticized ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for denying them access to give Communion to immigrants at a detention facility in Illinois over the weekend.

The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic and Christian nonprofit, organized a Mass outside the immigration processing center to mark All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. Organizers estimated around 2,000 people attended, many praying, singing, and holding signs protesting ICE. CSPL Executive Director Michael Okińczyc-Cruz called the federal crackdown in Chicago “chaos and mayhem,” saying it has caused fear and trauma for the families they work with.

CSPL said they submitted a formal request over a week in advance and took multiple steps to allow ministers to provide Communion, but they were denied entry for the second time since their first attempt on Oct. 11. Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson also submitted a letter to DHS and ICE on their behalf, which went unanswered.

Sister JoAnn Persch, president of Catherine’s Caring Cause, and Chicago Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado led the delegation. Persch, who has prayed for immigrants outside the center for nearly 20 years, said federal agents repeatedly drove past the Mass, appearing to intimidate participants. Illinois State Police confirmed the delegation could not enter due to “safety reasons,” though Persch questioned whose safety was at risk, noting she had spent years inside the facility without incident.

Attendees expressed concern over the denial of religious services. Persch said immigrants deserve pastoral care and Communion, while Dan Greenstone, who is not Catholic, described the Mass as a moving ceremony juxtaposed against the “razor wire and tactical vehicles.”

Okińczyc-Cruz said CSPL plans to submit another request and meet with officials to offer Communion, emphasizing that denying access infringes on religious freedom. “We have to keep going back, persistently, non-violently, but we are not gonna give up,” he said.