Latino churches brace for immigration raids as fears grow

In early 2025, Latino evangelical churches in the southeastern United States are operating under heightened anxiety due to new immigration enforcement policies introduced by the Trump administration. Bishop Ebli De La Rosa, who leads Church of God of Prophecy congregations across nine southeastern states, has expressed concern for the 32 undocumented pastors serving vulnerable communities within his jurisdiction. Many church leaders and congregants fear that their places of worship may no longer be safe havens as the new orders empower immigration officers to enforce laws without restriction in sensitive areas. This new directive, announced in January 2025 by the Department of Homeland Security, alters former policies that had previously shielded schools and places of worship from immigration enforcement actions. As a result, many Latino evangelical churches are taking preemptive measures, such as locking their doors to protect congregants from potential raids. Community members who supported Trump during the previous election now feel devastated and abandoned, as the situation causes significant trauma within families and congregations. Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, who was a former advisor to Donald Trump on immigration, assured others that houses of worship would feel no threat; however, many pastors report a growing sense of fear and displacement within their communities. Rev. Esteban Rodriguez noted that congregants have become disinclined to attend services or utilize essential resources such as food pantries, resulting in a significant impact on community cohesion and church engagement. The situation represents a broader struggle within the Latino evangelical community, which is characterized by a lack of unified teaching on immigration compared to larger mainline denominations. The unique intersection of faith, immigration status, and community dynamics encourages some pastors to publicly challenge the policies affecting their congregants. As churches work to navigate these challenges, they frequently remind their communities that churches should serve as places of refuge, even amidst threats of enforcement actions.