Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids

Source: NPR

July 13, 2025 7:55 AM ET


LOS ANGELES – In recent weeks, Pastor Caleb Crainer began developing a plan in the event that immigration enforcement agents show up at the door of his congregation, a pressing concern after the Trump administration rescinded long-standing guidance advising them to avoid houses of worship.

"So we have three of these pink binders that are around the church," he says, pulling one off a shelf behind his secretary's desk and leafing through the pages. Crainer points out the step-by-step response to people presenting themselves as immigration officers as he flips through the pages, which include examples of what official court orders should look like as well as "know your rights" materials and important phone numbers for church leaders and advocacy groups.

Other pink binders are located at the entrance to the sanctuary itself as well as in the fellowship hall, all places anyone is welcome to enter St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, in west Los Angeles. Crainer created these folders in consultation with other clergy, lawyers and immigrant rights groups. He's also done role-play exercises with his congregation to help them practice their responses. So, if immigration agents show up, church staff, volunteer ushers, greeters or any church member will know what to do.

Scores of congregations around Los Angeles have taken similar measures as the federal government has been focusing on the region with regards to immigration enforcement. While developing the plan, Crainer and his congregation have learned a lot about the law. "As a church, you need to know where your public spaces are and where your private spaces are," he says. "Because when ICE shows, they can go into any public space. But they are precluded from going into any private space without a warrant."

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/13/nx-s1-5466054/los-angeles-houses-of-worship-plan-ice-raids