The Nerd Stash
ICE Blocks Chicago Church From Holding Communion: 'Oh so NOW They Want Separati…
ICE agents continue to cross lines, and have now denied the right of a Catholic church in Chicago from providing communion.
7k
740k
35k
4M
Religious Leaders Protest ICE Blocking Communion at Chicago Detention Center
CHICAGO – A powerful demonstration unfolded outside the Chicago Detention Center on October 11, 2025, as a coalition of religious leaders and community members attempted to conduct a communion service for detainees, alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) blocked their access. The event, which drew a substantial crowd, highlighted escalating tensions surrounding immigration policies and religious freedom. Participants, many adorned in yellow, carried banners depicting religious figures and signs articulating calls for spiritual access and humanitarian treatment for those held inside. Reverend Michael Rodriguez, a key figure in the demonstration, was observed carrying a monstrance, a sacred vessel for the Eucharist, as he approached the facility's perimeter. Speaking to a throng of media, Reverend Rodriguez stated, 'Our faith compels us to minister to the vulnerable, and that includes those deprived of their liberty. To deny access for such a fundamental religious rite is not just an administrative hurdle; it is a profound violation of human dignity and the constitutional right to religious practice.' He further emphasized the importance of spiritual support for detainees, many of whom face immense emotional and psychological challenges. The protest aimed to draw national attention to the spiritual needs of individuals in immigration detention and to challenge what organizers described as an arbitrary restriction on religious observance. While ICE officials have not yet issued a formal response to the specific allegations concerning this event, the incident has undoubtedly reignited public debate on the balance between national security and the fundamental rights of all individuals, including those in custody. Community leaders have vowed to continue their advocacy, pressing for greater transparency and guaranteed access for religious services within detention facilities across the country.
