Latino Churches Prepare for Immigration Enforcement Fears in Southeast

Bishop Ebli De La Rosa, overseeing the Church of God of Prophecy across nine southeastern states, is preparing for potential immigration enforcement actions following the Trump administration’s rescission of protective policies for sensitive locations like churches. With 32 of his 70 pastors undocumented, congregations are being instructed to train laypeople to take over leadership if deportations occur and to livestream services for safety. The atmosphere is tense, with some pastors conducting services behind locked doors due to fears of immigration agents. De La Rosa's concerns reflect a broader anxiety among Latino evangelical leaders in the region about potential raids and arrests during services. A recent statement from the Department of Homeland Security emphasized that undocumented individuals would no longer find refuge in schools and churches under the new enforcement policy. Agustin Quiles from the Florida Fellowship of Hispanic Councils noted that many community members, including Trump supporters, now feel devastated by the harsh messaging regarding undocumented individuals.