"The posadas, a traditional celebration in Latin American countries that reenacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging before the birth of Jesus, will not be held outdoors as has been the custom. The event, which includes food and singing in a festive atmosphere, will be hidden from passersby for the first time. We'll hold them inside our homes; we can't do anything outside, laments Father Vidal Rivas."
"That's because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are lurking outside. In a neighborhood with a large Hispanic immigrant population, ICE raids, or the threat of one, have already left their mark. Rivas has witnessed the devastating effects of the Trump administration's anti-immigrant campaign on his parishioners. People are still very afraid, and in one week, 13 members of our church self-deported, he says. Three more were deported by federal authorities, and several are being held in ICE facilities."
Posadas and other traditional outdoor religious celebrations have been moved indoors and hidden from passersby because Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence threatens the community. ICE raids and the threat of raids have created widespread fear in a neighborhood with a large Hispanic immigrant population. Thirteen church members self-deported in one week, three were deported by federal authorities, and several are held in ICE facilities. Attendance at religious services has dropped to about 40 percent of previous levels and several public processions were canceled. U.S. citizen volunteers now patrol outside the church to watch for ICE and warn parishioners.
Read at english.elpais.com
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