“ICE Was Here” Nativity at St. Susanna in Dedham Draws Rebuke From ICE Acting Director and Archdiocese
A Dedham, Massachusetts parish displayed an outdoor Nativity replacing the Holy Family with a sign reading “ICE WAS HERE,” prompting criticism from ICE’s acting Boston director and an Archdiocese of Boston order to remove the display.
Key takeaways
- What happened: St. Susanna Parish’s outdoor manger replaced the Holy Family with a sign reading ICE WAS HERE and included a second sign directing people to call LUCE if they saw ICE agents.
- Official pushback: Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE’s Boston field office, criticized the message; the Archdiocese of Boston called the display divisive and ordered it removed.
- Parish intent: Rev. Stephen (Steven) Josoma said the parish uses its Nativity annually to highlight humanitarian or social issues — this year focusing on migrants.
- Unclear outcome: As of early December reporting, it was not confirmed whether the parish had complied with the Archdiocese’s directive to alter or remove the display.
The display and its message
The outdoor manger at St. Susanna showed an empty stable with a prominent sign reading ICE WAS HERE. A second sign explained that the Holy Family was safe inside the church and included a phone number for LUCE, an immigrant‑rights coalition that monitors enforcement and connects people to help.
Local television reporters said the display is intended to suggest that if the Holy Family arrived today they could be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A photo of the scene taken Dec. 3, 2025, confirms the layout and wording of the signs (see Patch, CBS News, Getty Images photo, video).
Past use of the Nativity for social messages
Rev. Josoma and St. Susanna have a history of using the Nativity display to call attention to contemporary issues. Previous provocative configurations included:
- 2017: The manger listed U.S. cities and mass‑shooting death tolls.
- 2018: Baby Jesus was shown in a cage and the Magi were placed behind a wall to protest family separation policies.
Those prior displays drew criticism from conservative Catholic groups who said the parish politicized a sacred image. Rev. Josoma has argued the displays connect the Christmas story to those who suffer today (reporting summarized from CBS News and Patch).
ICE’s response
Todd Lyons, identified as the acting director of ICE’s Boston field office, criticized the “ICE was here” Nativity for promoting what he described in coverage as a “dangerous narrative” about the agency’s work. Reporting indicates Lyons and ICE officials worry the display and hotline reference could inflame fear in immigrant communities and misrepresent enforcement practices; full on‑the‑record quotes were not published in the cited coverage (CBS News, Newsmax).
Archdiocese of Boston orders removal
The Archdiocese issued a public statement saying parishioners who come to church should expect opportunities for prayer and worship, not divisive political messaging. Church law cited by the Archdiocese bars using sacred images, including Nativity figures, for purposes other than devotion; the Archdiocese said St. Susanna neither asked for nor received permission to depart from those norms and ordered the display removed and the manger restored to its “proper sacred purpose” (CBS News).
Father Josoma told local reporters the parish planned a meeting to discuss how to respond to the directive.
Local reaction
Reaction in Dedham and across greater Boston was mixed. Some parishioners and social‑media commenters praised the display as an expression of Christian care for migrants and refugees. Others said the front steps of a church are not the right place for a political statement.
The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, led by C.J. Doyle, sharply criticized Rev. Josoma, calling him a “dissident priest” and labeling the display “divisive” and “disrespectful” to the season. Local TV outlets reported neighbors who understood the parish’s intent but disagreed with using sacred space in that way (Patch; CBS News).
Media framing and broader context
Local outlets including Boston 25, WBZ/CBS Boston, WCVB and WPRI described the display as controversial and politically charged. Coverage emphasized symbolism: that the Holy Family was depicted as having been “picked up” by ICE, and noted the activist function of signs that include a phone number for LUCE.
National conservative outlets and local Catholic groups framed the display as an improper politicization of a sacred symbol; other voices defended the parish’s effort to spotlight a humanitarian issue at Christmas (Newsmax).
Unsettled points
- Compliance: Reports as of early December 2025 said the parish planned a meeting but did not confirm whether the Nativity had been removed or altered (CBS News).
- Exact ICE wording: Full on‑the‑record quotations from Todd Lyons are not fully visible in public reporting; coverage summarizes his concerns about a “dangerous narrative.”
- Canonical detail: The Archdiocese cited church law on sacred images; the full canon text was not published in the coverage cited.
Sources
Reporting and materials summarized here include: Patch: “Dedham church’s ‘ICE Was Here’ nativity scene draws mixed reactions”; CBS Boston (WBZ): “Dedham Nativity Scene Replaces Holy Family With ‘ICE Was Here’ Sign; Archdiocese Calls For Removal”; Newsmax: “’ICE Was Here’ Nativity Prompts Backlash in Massachusetts”; Getty Images photo; and local video coverage.
Implications for Walla Walla, Washington
Though the dispute is a local Massachusetts story, it may influence practices in communities like Walla Walla:
- Economic: Unlikely to affect trade or tourism, but local organizers may review display policies to avoid drawn‑out disputes or extra staff time.
- Political: Could be cited in debates over religious freedom and the proper use of sacred spaces by local officials or candidates.
- Social: May intensify local conversations about immigration, public safety and the role of faith communities in advocacy.
- Cultural: Churches that value traditional displays may emphasize religious meaning or issue clarifying statements about nontraditional messaging.
- Practical: Churches, schools and civic groups should review signage rules and internal policies; city staff may get questions on permits and guidance.
Reporting note: This article summarizes coverage and statements from local and regional outlets. For original reporting and primary statements see the sources listed above.
