• ICE officials are pushing back against viral misinformation alleging arrests inside churches and hospitals. Recent apprehensions in Southern California were targeted operations involving illegal immigrants who fled into public buildings, not sweeps inside protected areas. Under President Trump’s revised DHS policy, law enforcement regained authority to enter schools and churches, reinforcing America’s immigration enforcement framework.

ONTARIO, CA (TDR) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are disputing widespread online claims suggesting that federal agents are indiscriminately arresting illegal immigrants in churches and medical centers, arguing instead that recent apprehensions were targeted, lawful, and followed due process. The debate underscores the broader question of whether immigration enforcement should extend into once-designated “sensitive” locations.

ICE Rebuts Misinformation, Cites Lawful Pursuit

In early July, ICE agents arrested a Honduran national at the Ontario Advanced Surgery Center in Southern California, sparking outrage after a viral video appeared to show an arrest inside a medical facility.

“A viral video from Los Angeles indicated ICE arrested a man at a medical center while he was getting treatment. This was totally false,” an ICE official told the press. “He was encountered while driving and ran to evade officers, fleeing to a medical building down the road.”

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ICE maintains that the arrest was part of an ongoing pursuit—not a planned enforcement operation within the facility. This clarification comes amid similar concerns from religious leaders over recent arrests occurring on church property in the San Bernardino Diocese.

John Andrews, a spokesman for the diocese, confirmed multiple arrests in church parking lots, but added that ICE did not enter any sanctuary spaces. A separate incident involved an individual being taken into custody outside Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair.

DHS Restores Enforcement Authority in “Sensitive” Zones

The renewed visibility of enforcement actions stems from a directive issued shortly after President Trump returned to office in January. Then-acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman reversed Biden-era protections that prevented immigration officers from operating in locations such as churches, schools, and hospitals.

“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens, including murderers and rapists,” a DHS spokesperson stated. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

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The Trump administration emphasized public safety and common-sense enforcement over political optics. The policy change reflects a return to prioritizing national sovereignty and the rule of law, placing trust in frontline officers to assess risk and opportunity for each operation.

The Clash Between Enforcement and Religious Advocacy

While the federal government cites constitutional enforcement responsibilities, faith leaders have voiced moral objections. Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino criticized the approach in a letter to parishioners:

“Authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God.”

Still, ICE officials insist that arrests are not “indiscriminate.” Targets are selected after days or weeks of surveillance, often involving individuals with prior deportation orders or criminal histories.

Reasserting American Sovereignty and the Rule of Law

The Trump administration’s posture reinforces the principle that no location should become a sanctuary from accountability. By empowering law enforcement to carry out lawful arrests regardless of setting, the policy signals a commitment to limited government with strong enforcement—not bureaucratic paralysis.

Do you believe churches and hospitals should be off-limits to immigration enforcement, or are these policies vital for national security?

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