ICE Arrest at Methodist Church Food Ministry Event Sparks Outrage in Los Angeles
Leadership at a Methodist church in Los Angeles is accusing federal immigration enforcement agents of arresting a man during a food ministry event in its parking lot last Thursday. The North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in the San Fernando Valley held a news conference on Monday, where Pastor Ervin Aguilon claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the event heavily armed and arrested a church member, identified as Carlos Chavez. The arrest took place in front of children and other churchgoers as they were providing food to the community.
The food ministry event had to end prematurely after two ICE agents arrived to apprehend Chavez. Attendees had to shelter in place for four hours following the agents' arrival. Cellphone footage from the church showed the armed agents conducting an immigration enforcement operation and eventually arresting Chavez in the parking lot. Pastor Aguilon expressed his dismay at the agents' actions, stating that the church's grounds are sacred and should not have been violated in such a manner.
The church has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border and Customs Protection, and ICE for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication. Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Area of The United Methodist Church, condemned the immigration enforcement operation for sending armed agents into a church setting where community members, including children and elders, were gathered to provide food. She emphasized that churches are places of safety and that the agents' actions had terrorized the faith community.
As of Monday morning, the whereabouts of Carlos Chavez and the charges against him remain unknown. The incident has sparked outrage within the church community and raised concerns about the violation of sacred spaces by federal immigration enforcement. The church is seeking answers and justice for Chavez and the community members affected by the ICE operation.