After reports of ICE at Catholic churches, California Bishop denounces raids

After recent reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showing up at Catholic churches in the San Bernardino Diocese, Bishop Alberto Rojas strongly condemned — and called for an immediate end to — growing ICE activity.

Diocesan officials said Tuesday, June 24 that ICE agents entered two Catholic parish properties in Montclair and Highland last Friday, June 20.

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That afternoon, ICE detained multiple people in the parking lot of St. Adelaide Church in Highland who were neither employees of the parish nor parishioners, said John Andrews, director of communications for the Diocese of San Bernardino, on Tuesday. Agents also took one male parishioner into custody at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montclair on Friday afternoon, Andrews said.

Further details were not provided, and spokespersons from both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Adelaide churches declined to comment.

In his statement Tuesday, Bishop Rojas – who leads the sixth largest Catholic diocese in the U.S., which includes communities in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties – called on political leaders to end the immigration raids as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign targeting undocumented immigrants.

“Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God,” Rojas said. “Cease these tactics immediately, in favor of an approach that respects human rights.”

The bishop’s statement follows weeks of increased ICE activity across Southern California, including in the Diocese of San Bernardino.

Bishop Alberto Rojas blesses with holy water the audience during the The Diocese of San Bernardino’s groundbreaking for a new church in Redlands on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)

“It should be no surprise that this is creating a tremendous amount of fear, confusion and anxiety for many,” Rojas said. “It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which guides us in all that we do.”

ICE raids have been reported in immigrant-run stores, car washes and farms – as well as houses of worship, known immigrant hubs – throughout the Southern California region.

In January shortly after taking office, Trump rescinded a policy that previously prevented federal immigration authorities from entering “sensitive” areas – including houses of worship and schools.

“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens — including murderers and rapists — who have illegally come into our country,” according to an earlier statement from the Department of Homeland Security. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

While over two dozen religious groups sued the Trump administration over the policy, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich denied the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction in April, claiming that places of worship are not being “singled out” by immigration enforcement authorities.

The church “respects and appreciates the right of authorities to remove violent criminals who have entered the country illegally,” Rojas wrote. “At the same time, the diocese, through its Office of Advocacy and Justice for Immigrants, has worked closely with parishes, Catholic schools and ministries to provide information about the constitutional rights of immigrants and also how churches should respond in the event of an enforcement action on their premises.”

Rojas — an immigrant himself, who has joined public marches and made multiple statements in support of immigrants — also said that protestors taking to the streets to voice their opposition to current ICE tactics have a “constitutional right to do this.” The bishop urged activists to act “without vulgarity, violence toward others, or destruction of property.” He also called out Trump’s recent decision to deploy National Guard troops and military personnel to protest sites, saying this “seems only to increase the level of anger and fear of violence.”

The Diocese of San Bernardino has released a list of recommendations for churches that may encounter ICE, which include appointing and training a designated representative who would interact with federal agents, including getting proper warrants and recording any interactions.

The diocese also offers community “Know Your Rights” workshops, legal services and classes held at different parishes. Officials said the diocese has worked closely with advocacy groups including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the TODEC Legal Center, San Bernardino Community Services and Catholic Charities to educate immigrants on their constitutional rights.

Many parishes in the diocese have also continued to livestream and offer virtual Masses since the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

“Our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, once told me that his greatest fear was division. Indeed, it is painful to see such division amongst God’s people at this moment. This is not what He wants for us,” Rojas said. “Let us instead remember what we all share – our creation in His image and likeness. Let us look for God in one another.”