When fear knocks, the church answers

What happens when immigration enforcement reshapes daily life — not in theory, but on the streets, in schools and inside churches?

This 12-minute documentary captures the lived reality of United Methodist congregations in Chicago navigating fear, loss and uncertainty amid increased activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  

Pastors, lay leaders and families share stories of a church that adapts, protects and shows up. From food pantries emptying out because of fear, to pastors praying at sites of tragedy, to churches becoming sanctuaries of hope — this is what discipleship looks like on the ground.

Told in both English and Spanish, the story reveals the human cost behind policies, the quiet courage of communities living under pressure, and the faith that moves beyond preaching into presence.

A four-story series also documents El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry’s visits to congregations in the Chicago area.

Read series in Spanish (click Translate Page in the top right corner to read in other languages).

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Evangelism
The Rev. Roslyn Lee poses with a costumed Robert Festa, while the Rev. Won Tack Lee snaps a photo. Festa is a volunteer at the Restless Souls Haunted House, a ministry of West Hills United Methodist Church on Long Island, N.Y. Photo by Lilla Margiza, UM News.

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Faith Sharing
Happy Thanksgiving from United Methodist News. Psalm 118:24. Photo by Jill Wellington, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News

Graphic for Thanksgiving available to download and share on social media.
Immigration
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi (from left), Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson and other faith leaders participate in a public witness for immigrant justice near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 25. United Methodist leaders are cheering an Oct. 20 U.S. federal appeals court ruling that allows faith groups, including United Methodists, to move forward with a lawsuit to stop a Trump administration policy that allows immigration enforcement within houses of worship. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Court revives suit to block ICE from churches

A coalition of faith groups, including United Methodists, has grounds to sue to curb immigration enforcement activities at houses of worship, a federal appeals court ruled.

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