Clergy from across Pennsylvania gathered in protest last week outside Philadelphia’s ICE office, opposing a controversial executive order from President Donald Trump that permits immigration arrests at houses of worship. The order, issued on Trump’s first day in office this year, reversed a 2011 memo that had discouraged federal agents from entering sensitive locations like churches, schools, and hospitals unless in “exigent circumstances.”
The rally, organized by the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, brought together clergy representing over 30 religious groups, including Catholic, Jewish, Mennonite, Baptist, and Unitarian congregations. While their political stance leaned left, their public witness underscored how deeply Americans of faith—regardless of their theology—continue to grapple with the complexities of immigration, public safety, and religious liberty.
Clergy set up an interfaith altar outside the ICE office, offering prayers, placing sacred items like crosses and shofars, and inviting ICE agents to “break bread” with them in a gesture of shared humanity. ICE declined the offer, but the invitation symbolized the group’s attempt to marry defiance with outreach.
“With the rescinding of the sensitive locations memo, it really feels like they are trying to take away any remaining safe space in people’s lives,” said Peter Pedemonti, the movement’s co-founder and co-director. “There’s something about the targeting of faith communities that feels especially cruel. To try and cut somebody off from their spiritual home and their community right now, there’s a cold-heartedness or hard-heartedness to it.”
Protesters argued the policy violates the First Amendment, alleging it chills religious exercise for immigrants and even reduces church attendance among legal residents. While the Trump administration defends the executive order as necessary for national security and immigration enforcement, critics, including protest organizer Rev. Christopher Neilson, say it “strikes at the heart of America’s spiritual foundations.”
Rev. Neilson, a Caribbean-American pastor and founder of Christianity for the Living Ministries, said, “God is not confined to a church building. Even this ICE office is sacred space. And we’re here to declare it.”
