Deportation Data Project<\/a>, a group that collects immigration arrest information from federal records requests, show that between Jan. 20 and June 27, 2025, ICE carried out more than 109,000 immigration arrests nationwide, with Texas accounting for roughly 23% of the total.<\/p>\nAlthough Garcia has not witnessed operations inside her church, she said she has heard about ICE raids and activity near houses of worship in her community.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though no one has entered our church, there have been operations nearby. That\u2019s why I don\u2019t share the church\u2019s location much. People hold back. They don\u2019t want to expose themselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore, the congregation was a safe space.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Mexican Christian woman in Dallas, who requested anonymity due to her irregular immigration status, said her sense of safety at church shifted after her daughter was arrested by ICE outside their home in Dallas on Dec. 31 for lacking immigration documents.<\/p>\n
After being transferred to El Paso to face an immigration court, her daughter became ill and needed medication. The family hired an attorney, which involved significant legal expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore, the congregation was a safe space,\u201d the mother said. \u201cNow I prefer to keep my participation minimal and make legal consultations remotely to protect my children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Similarly, Luzma, who lives in Austin, and her sister Teresa Rodr\u00edguez, who lives in Fort Worth, have adjusted their routines. Both are permanent residents. Although they continue attending religious services, they do so with extreme caution.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t even go to the supermarket calmly anymore. There\u2019s fear everywhere,\u201d Teresa said.<\/p>\n
Amy Cummings, an immigration lawyer from Dallas and an Episcopalian, confirmed this phenomenon among her clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany are afraid to leave, not just to go to church, but also to work or legal appointments. Some prefer virtual meetings to reduce risk,\u201d Cummings said.<\/p>\n
She recalled the story of a man who lost faith after detention and abuse in immigration custody.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me, \u2018If there is a God, He has a lot to explain to me.\u2019 That story moved me deeply,\u201d Cummings said.<\/p>\n
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A Bible rests upon a pew at St. David\u2019s. Erika Gonzales, Reporting Texas<\/p>\n
Churches\u2019 Response to ICE Presence<\/p>\n
The Diocese of Austin, representing 700,000 Catholics across 127 parishes, said in a statement that no incidents have been reported in which ICE attempted to enter church properties or religious events.<\/p>\n
On some occasions, agents have been in parish parking lots, but only to meet among themselves and not to intervene in services. The diocese recognizes that some families need to be cautious when attending certain events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer our prayers for the families affected during this situation,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
Rachael Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, emphasized that her church views these issues through a moral and theological lens.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilence in the face of injustice is not an option for the church,\u201d she said. \u201cImmigration enforcement should never override human rights. For us, this is not a partisan matter, it is a theological and moral one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Support for Migrant Families<\/p>\n
Amid immigration enforcement operations, pastors and Christian organizations have strengthened their community work. Garcia, the El Paso pastor, directs programs at the Christian Roca de Refugio Church that provide temporary shelter, food assistance, medical support and legal aid.<\/p>\n
Cummings said many families turn to congregations not only to practice their faith but also for legal guidance and emotional support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying to make sure people can still access help without exposing themselves to detention,\u201d Cummings said.<\/p>\n
Organizations such as Estrella Del Paso, a Christian legal aid ministry providing free services to immigrants in Texas and New Mexico, said they have adapted \u201cKnow Your Rights\u201d workshops to virtual formats to ensure attendees\u2019 safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to empower immigrant families with accurate legal information so they can make informed decisions and feel less fearful about seeking help,\u201d Imelda Maynard said, legal director at Estrella del Paso.<\/p>\n
Austin Sanctuary, a network supporting migrant families, offers practical assistance and maintains a dedicated hotline for those trying to locate detained relatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they want to come, we provide transportation and make sure the location is safe and monitored. We even have people outside watching so they can enter and leave safely,\u201d Carmen Zuvieta said, an ambassador for Austin Sanctuary.<\/p>\n
These efforts complement other community programs that prioritize the well being of families facing uncertainty and fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy priority is always my community. I try to accompany, comfort, give hope and support as much as possible,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n
For many families, faith remains a lifeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat has kept me strong,\u201d\u00a0 the Mexican mother in Dallas said, \u201cis trusting in God and that we will soon be able to return to church without fear,\u201d<\/p>\n
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