Local clergy sought to provide pastoral care to ICE detainees in Downtown LA. It took a congressman’s intervention to make it happen by Good Friday.
Clergy members were turned away from providing Ash Wednesday services to detainees at Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s temporary holding facility in downtown Los Angeles.
The denial was communicated by ICE agents at the facility to a group of clergy from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Faith leaders had submitted a request on Monday, signed and submitted by U.S. House Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), to provide communion to detainees, many of whom are awaiting transfer to permanent detention facilities.
A group of roughly 50 protestors aligned with the Community Self Defense Coalition, which seeks to protect undocumented immigrants from ICE raids, were also stationed outside the building, though they were not trying to enter the facility with the clergy.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, during which Christians fast, pray and perform penance in the lead-up to Easter. For believers, it is one of the holiest days of the year.
“Even if someone is in detention for only 12 hours, this is our most solemn day in our most Holy Week,” Matt Harper, a member of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker who accompanied clergy attempting to enter the ICE facility, said.
“There is no making up this ritual. There is no making up this day.”
When clergy members submitted a second request the next day, again signed and submitted by Rep. Gomez, an ICE field director responded that, because detainees were only being held temporarily, they did not require access to pastoral care.
Still, clergy members returned several weeks later on Good Friday. After a brief back-and-forth with ICE officials, the congregation was allowed inside the building to administer blessings to detainees.
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“Almost every person prayed for their family, it was not for them,” Harper said. “It was for those struggling back at home because they were now missing this person in their lives.”
“Those inside were able to pray, receive communion and observe one of the holiest days in the Christian faith,” Rep. Gomez said in a statement to Los Angeles Magazine. “I’m going to keep pushing for access and transparency inside these detention facilities, and make sure the people inside are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Three guards at the detention facility also joined the service, and encouraged clergy members to come back anytime.
ICE did not respond to Los Angeles Magazine’s request for comment.
Pope Leo XIV greets worshippers congregated outside the VaticanCredit: Stefano Spaziani via AP Photos
For Harper, the moment revealed the power of the Catholic Church in Los Angeles to create change. Catholics make up 28% of Los Angeles County’s population, far larger than any other religious denomination.
“Things don’t happen without our permission and things can be stopped if we withdraw our participation,” Harper said. “We really wanted to inspire Catholics to say ‘what can I do in this moment to make a difference?’”
While Harper praised the Catholic Church’s role in Los Angeles, the Church’s nationwide influence has come under strain amid political tensions with the Trump administration.
On Sunday, Trump assailed Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy Truth Social post for being too liberal and “weak on crime.” The post comes as the Pope’s criticism of the U.S.’s war with Iran and its immigration policies have become more pointed, angering those within the administration.
Speaking on a flight to Algeria, the Pope told reporters that he has “no fear, neither of the Trump administration, nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”
“That’s what I believe I’m called here to do.”