“ICE WAS HERE” Nativity in Dedham Draws Rebuke — Archdiocese Demands Removal as ICE Acting Director Calls Display ‘Dangerous Narrative’
A Nativity at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham replaced the Holy Family with a bold sign reading ICE WAS HERE, prompting the Archdiocese of Boston to order its removal and drawing criticism from local ICE leadership.
Key takeaways
- Empty manger, visible sign: Photos and video show a blank manger topped by a sign reading ICE WAS HERE, plus a separate notice directing people to LUCE.
- Archdiocese response: The Archdiocese of Boston ordered the display removed, saying sacred objects must not be used for divisive political messaging.
- ICE criticism: Todd M. Lyons, acting director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, said the depiction helps create a “dangerous narrative.” (Newsmax).
What the Nativity display shows
The outdoor Nativity at St. Susanna replaces the usual figures — Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus — with an empty manger and a large sign that reads ICE WAS HERE. A second sign tells visitors that “The Holy Family is safe in the sanctuary of our Church. If you see ICE please call LUCE,” and includes contact information for the immigrant‑rights coalition LUCE. Photographs and television footage — including images from Getty Images and reporting by CBS Boston — show the two‑sign arrangement and the empty space where the Holy Family would normally stand.
Who created it and why
Rev. Stephen Josoma, pastor at St. Susanna Parish, conceived the display. He told local reporters he intended to highlight “the plight of people who are really in dire need” and to ask the faithful to consider “how are we treating them.” Josoma described the project as trying “to take a picture of the world as it is and to put it together with the Christmas message.” (Patch; CBS Boston).
St. Susanna has a recent history of using its Nativity to call attention to social issues — previous displays referenced mass shootings (2017), family separation (2018) and climate change and gun control in later years — and the 2025 scene continued that pattern of social‑issue commentary. (CBS Boston; Patch).
Archdiocese of Boston response and demand for removal
The Archdiocese of Boston issued a formal statement condemning the display and ordering that it be taken down. The archdiocese said parishioners have “the right to expect” church property will be used for “genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship — not divisive political messaging.” It emphasized that church norms prohibit using sacred objects, including Nativity images, for purposes other than fostering faith and devotion, and noted St. Susanna “neither requested nor received permission” to deviate from those norms. The archdiocese concluded that “the display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose.”
Father Josoma told reporters the parish planned to discuss the display at a scheduled meeting but had not publicly committed to removing or changing it. Local coverage noted a mix of parishioner reactions: some upset by politicizing a Nativity, others praising the parish for highlighting vulnerable families. (CBS Boston; Patch).
Reaction from ICE and Todd Lyons
Todd M. Lyons, acting director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, criticized the display and warned it helps create a “dangerous narrative” about the agency. Lyons said such portrayals risk undermining public understanding of ICE’s stated priorities — which he described as focusing on people with criminal histories or final orders of removal — and that they can increase fear in immigrant communities and hostility toward federal law enforcement. News outlets quoted Lyons saying the display fuels misinformation rather than promoting informed debate about immigration policy. (Newsmax).
Other Catholic and community criticism
The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, led by executive director C.J. Doyle, criticized the display and labeled Father Josoma a “dissident priest.” Doyle called the Nativity a “crackpot political stunt,” divisive and disrespectful to the meaning of Christmas. Some local residents told TV reporters they sympathize with concerns about migrants but felt the parish Nativity was the wrong venue for political messaging; others defended the display as consistent with Gospel teaching about welcoming the stranger. (Patch; Newsmax; CBS Boston).
Supporters and immigrant‑rights link
Supporters included immigrant‑rights advocates and parishioners who said the display was a call to protect vulnerable families. The LUCE coalition — whose contact information appears on the sign — is a group of immigrant‑led organizations that monitor immigration enforcement and assist affected families. The inclusion of LUCE’s contact details made the display both a statement and a practical referral for those seeking help. (Patch).
Visual and on‑scene reporting
Photographs from Getty Images show the empty manger and the prominent ICE WAS HERE sign. Local TV footage captured residents’ reactions and broadcasters described how the display implies Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus were detained by immigration enforcement. Video coverage is available online. (YouTube video).
Historical context in Dedham and at St. Susanna
St. Susanna’s pattern of provocative displays and Dedham’s history of local holiday controversies help explain why this display drew quick national attention. The parish has repeatedly used its Nativity to spark conversation on public issues, making the 2025 scene understandable as social commentary on immigration enforcement and family detention. (CBS Boston).
Implications for Los Angeles
Local leaders, parishes and nonprofits in Los Angeles should note:
- Diocesan offices may intervene when parish messaging appears political rather than devotional; similar displays in L.A. could prompt formal action.
- Immigration enforcement is sensitive across California; such dramatic messaging can deepen tensions in communities with large immigrant populations.
- Federal and local law enforcement partnerships can be affected by public portrayals that increase fear or mistrust among immigrant residents.
- Faith communities acting as referral points for services (as LUCE was on the Dedham sign) should coordinate with diocesan offices and local nonprofits to balance outreach with institutional guidelines.
- Elected officials in L.A. may be asked to weigh in if comparable displays provoke public controversy, balancing free expression, religious practice and public safety.
Sources and further reading
Reporting compiled from the following sources:
- CBS Boston: “Nativity scene in Dedham replaced Holy Family with ‘ICE WAS HERE’ sign”
- Patch (Dedham): “Dedham church’s nativity scene draws mixed reaction”
- Newsmax: “ICE official criticizes Dedham nativity scene depicting ‘ICE WAS HERE’”
- Getty Images photos of the display
- Video coverage of the scene
Reporting compiled from the above sources; Times Media Service.
