Satirical Nativity Scenes at US Places of Worship Offer Commentary on ICE

Throughout the United States, satirical holiday exhibits have appeared that mock hardline government immigration policies. These installations reimagine the traditional nativity story, depicting the newborn Christ and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.

An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb

One powerful installation at a congregation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston features the infant Christ lying in a manger out in the snow. However, the doll is wrapped in the kind of thin, foil thermal blankets frequently given to those in custody and has its wrists bound with plastic restraints.

Nearby, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned outside the building, wearing a gas mask. Such gear has been adopted by protesters attempting to guard against chemical agents. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are wearing tactical vests labeled with the letters “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At another Windy City place of worship, the usual models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are conspicuously absent from the standard display featuring camels and donkeys and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a simple message: “Due to ICE activity in our community the Holy Family is in seclusion.”

“The holiday season is a time when we have displays out on the lawn and we get an opportunity to say something,” remarked a church leader involved with one of the displays.

Messages Echo Nationwide

These artistic statements reflect the visible role taken by religious communities in recent protests against federal policies. Similar socially conscious exhibits have appeared in multiple states.

In Massachusetts, a church took away the small statue of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted notice that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials reportedly stood defiant in the face of complaints from various diocesan and government officials.

Linking Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

For the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old story of Christ’s birth within a contemporary sociopolitical frame helps bring focus to ongoing government agendas. They contend that the family's experience as displaced persons mirrors the real anxieties and realities of many families today, encompassing being torn apart and the removal of working loved ones.

This is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for political protest. Previously, displays have highlighted topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Enduring Storms

The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved noted that some detractors either misinterpret the intent or “find it very difficult to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the display rather than considering what the true message is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also affected one scene. At a separate location, the statue of Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and was unable to be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to honor and remember all the victims of enforcement terror.”