LOS ANGELES, CA – The North Hills United Methodist Church congregation, located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, was left devastated after an ICE raid led to the arrest of one of the church’s congregants. The ordeal occurred last Thursday (Jan. 29), and has left the church’s leadership both hurt and outraged.
Carlos Chavez, originally from Mexico, reportedly helped with the children’s ministry at North Hills United Methodist Church and served as the sole provider for his family. The congregant was allegedly participating in a charity event held on the church’s grounds when ICE agents came to arrest him and initiate deportation proceedings.
Chavez reportedly saw the agents and ran towards the church building. Law enforcement reportedly chased him through the charity event despite being told by bystanders that they were on private property.
“We are devastated for (sic) the terror caused to our church,” the church shared on its Facebook page. “On January 29 our Beloved Church was desecrated by immigration agents who entered our property wearing masks and carrying weapons,” the statement read.
“Despite being asked not to enter, they did not respect our request and forced their way in. They ran throughout the church property among families, children and elderly people while we were serving our food ministry, among other ministries that we were forced to stop.”
“This tragedy caused significant trauma to members of our church and to the broader community. This was a violation of our sacred right to worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ freely and safely. Holy ground can’t be desecrated.”
Leadership at North Hills United Methodist Church described Carlos Chavez as a “beloved community member” in a press release. They also further elaborated on how last Thursday’s activities impacted the church’s outreach efforts.
“Our food ministry is an expression of God’s love for the hungry and because of ICE’s senseless actions, we were forced to stop,” North Hills United Methodist Church Pastor Ervin Adin Aguilon shared.
“Another ministry that was interrupted was the activity in our church garden 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.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to an inquiry from KTLA regarding last Thursday’s activities at North Hills United Methodist Church. According to the government entity,
“U.S. Border Patrol did NOT target United Methodist Church or its parking lot in North Hills, California. On January 29, Border Patrol conducted an immigration enforcement operation in the area of Rayen Street and Sepulveda Boulevard that resulted in the arrest of Carlos Chavez-Guzman, an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously removed from this country in 2016. Chavez-Guzman chose to run from law enforcement, a federal crime, leading them on a foot chase before his arrest. This operation also resulted in the arrest of two other individuals from Mexico who have violated the immigration laws of our country. All three of these illegal aliens will remain in ICE custody pending removal.
We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”