In congregations, fear, misinformation, and preparation after ICE policy change
A sign regarding the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is posted on the window of a corner store on January 20, in the predominantly Latino Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
By now, some 1 million TikTok users have viewed a video posted on the social media platform last week warning people away from the Manna Food Center distribution at Glenmont United Methodist Church, just outside the nation’s capital in Maryland, claiming that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency had been present there.
The problem: It isn’t true.
Kelly Grimes, pastor of the multicultural church, which shares its sanctuary with Spanish- and French-speaking congregations, said that it took a few days to track down the truth: A man confessed he had spotted what he thought were unmarked law enforcement vehicles and panicked—he had no indication ICE had been there. Another man made the TikTok video, leaving Grimes and food distribution leaders to deal with the fear and fallout.
