Department of Homeland Security denies ICE targeted Chicago parish 

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 17, 2025 / 16:24 pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing back against reports of immigration enforcement officers being present outside a Chicago parish during a Spanish Mass on Oct. 12. 

Videos circulated on social media of the parish priest at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Chicago warning his congregation to leave the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass with caution. 

The priest may be heard in the video saying in Spanish: “[ICE] is in the parking lot… they are looking for people here, as well as in the north part.” The priest continued: “There is a group in front of the church that could take you away: Those with babies can leave with them — you will be accompanied to your houses because I think it will be dangerous for you to drive your cars from the parking lot if you don’t have documents." 

A local Chicago NBC affiliate reported that “several neighbors showed up and formed a human chain outside the church to guide parishioners home.” 

“This protection is for all who need accompaniment,” the priest added. 

In a statement shared with CNA on Friday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: “Border Patrol did not ‘target’ this church nor were enforcement actions taken at the church.” When asked to elaborate on whether there were ICE agents present at or around the church, DHS declined to comment further. 

President Donald Trump expanded use of deportations without a court hearing this year and ramped up federal law enforcement efforts to identify and arrest immigrants lacking legal status. The administration set a goal of 1 million deportations this year.

Recently Pope Leo XIV received letters from U.S. migrants fearing deportation. The pope encouraged U.S. bishops to firmly address the treatment of immigrants under the Trump administration’s policies.

In July, Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for those fearing deportation.

In comments at the Union League Club on Oct. 13, Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Chicago Archdiocese spoke on “the moral and ethical issues related to the mass deportation of undocumented persons happening in our country.” 

“What is in question, however, is the obligation we all have as human beings, and as a society comprised of human beings, to respect and protect the dignity of others,” Cupich said. “Keeping the nation safe and respecting human dignity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, one cannot exist without the other. It is up to citizens and communities such as the Church to raise their voices to ensure the safety of a nation does not come at the expense of violations of human dignity.”

Spokespersons for St. Jerome Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Chicago did not immediately reply to requests for comment.