PRESS ADVISORY!

ICE Violates the House of God, Terrorizes Church Families

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Media Contact: Guillermo Torres, gtorres@cluejustice.org, 323-228-2753

Los Angeles – This past Thursday, federal immigration authorities entered the North Hills United Methodist Church parking lot wearing masks and carrying weapons during the church’s food distribution ministry.  Arrested by ICE was a church member, Carlos Chavez, a beloved community member.  According to Pastor Ervin Aguilon, “Upon entry they ran through the parking lot all while the food ministry was taking place, terrorizing families and children.  Our sacred place was desecrated. Our food ministry is an expression of God’s love for the hungry and because of ICEs senseless actions, we were forced to stop the food ministry. Another ministry that was interrupted was the activity in our church garden. An event where mothers, young children, and youths were all on church campus, prompting leaders to act and shelter all attendees in a secure room for more than four hours. Imagine, being a child and seeing your mother scared, crying and wondering what’s going on and having to confine yourself to a small room for four hours”. The church’s childcare and after school program were interrupted by terror because of ICE’s actions. 

Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Area of The United Methodist Church, Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank said, “Our churches are not staging grounds for ICE patrols. Our churches are not open for ICE raids on vulnerable families. No church, synagogue, mosque, or temple is a staging or hunting ground for ICE agents.”

WHAT: Press Conference to Denounce ICE’s Terror at House of God

WHEN: Monday, February 2, 2026

TIME: 10:00am

WHERE: North Hills United Methodist Church(15435 Rayen Street, North Hills, CA 91343)

WHO: North Hills UMC, Cal-Pac Conference of the United Methodist Church, Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Area, Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, CLUE Justice, Sacred Resistance, religious and community leaders

About CLUE: Founded in 1996, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE Justice) bring together clergy and lay leaders of all faiths with the marginalized, the unheard, and the least protected—low-wage workers and immigrants—in strategic campaigns for dignity, justice, and a more sacred and just society.