These people aren’t criminals? Why the mass deportations? Why is the Government and ICE hounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

At least six Homeland Security vehicles were parked outside a federal courthouse in Nashville earlier this week for one man: Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Since his wrongful deportation to El Salvador, Abrego Garcia has galvanized critics of Trump’s immigration policy. He now faces human smuggling charges, but his trial in Nashville may be cut short if ICE deports him before then.  

Outside of the trial, ICE has paid a lot of attention to Nashville. Since May, hundreds of people have been detained while driving through the city’s immigrant corridor.  

Those raids — and the possibility of future crack downs — have also had a chilling effect on Catholic Mass attendance.  

WHAT TO KNOW

Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Church on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Credit: Preston ThompsonDiocese of Nashville’s Office of Communications

The choirs at the city’s Spanish-speaking parishes have been quieter than usual.  

The Sunday after ICE first began its raids, attendance fell 50%, according to the Diocese of Nashville. In response, the city’s Bishop told congregants they’re not obligated to attend Mass on Sunday “if doing so puts their safety at risk.” 

“I’ve never, ever, ever in my life … heard of them ever doing that,” said parishioner Gisselle Huerta. “To have a Catholic church come out and say that, is because they know that their community is hurting.” 

Under the Trump administration, churches no longer have federal protections from immigration enforcement for the 1 in 5 Catholics who may be impacted by deportation.  

After weeks of fluctuating attendance, all three bishops in the Tennessee Catholic Conference spoke out about “widespread fear” in their parishes.  

“We are particularly concerned by reports that recent enforcement efforts in the Nashville area have extended beyond individuals charged with serious crimes or those subject to final deportation orders,” the statement said. “In the current climate, many individuals face a lack of due process, which contributes to widespread fear, especially the fear of being detained while simply attending Mass or participating in parish life.”  

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