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Media Coverage: CSPL Files Federal Lawsuit After ICE Blocks Sisters and Clergy
Compiled media coverage on lawsuit filed Wednesday, November 19, by CSPL and several Catholic sisters and clergy members alleging that DHS, ICE, and senior federal officials unlawfully blocked clergy and women religious from providing religious ministry at the Broadview ICE facility.
Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership Files Federal Lawsuit After ICE Blocks Sisters and Clergy from Ministering at Broadview Facility
Despite repeated attempts to follow DHS and ICE protocols, faith leaders were denied access for pastoral care and Communion in violation of constitutional and federal religious freedom protections. Read the legal complaint here.
Video: Remembering Sr. JoAnn Persch, RSM
We remember the prophetic life of Sr. JoAnn Persch, RSM, a tireless advocate for the rights of our immigrant sisters and brothers.
Video: All Saints Day People’s Mass at Broadview Detention Center
On November 1, 2025, more than 2,000 faithful gathered outside the Broadview Detention Center, to pray, sing and for a second time, demand access for clergy to bring Communion to the people being detained inside. Chicago Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado and Mercy Sister JoAnn Persch led the delegation. Despite following all procedures as outlined by DHS and ICE, the delegation was once again denied access.
Mainstream Media Coverage: Pope Leo XIV calls on Trump administration to allow detainees in Broadview to receive communion
Speaking briefly with reporters late Nov. 4 outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo was asked about a detention facility in Broadview denying access Nov. 1 to a Chicago auxiliary bishop and a delegation of clergy, religious sisters and laity, who wanted to bring Communion to Catholics detained there.
Video - Vatican Media: ‘Spiritual rights’ of migrant detainees must be respected
Speaking briefly with reporters late Nov. 4 outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo was asked about a detention facility in Broadview denying access Nov. 1 to a Chicago auxiliary bishop and a delegation of clergy, religious sisters and laity, who wanted to bring Communion to Catholics detained there.
Catholic Media Coverage: Pope Leo calls on US authorities to respect migrants' spiritual needs
Speaking briefly with reporters late Nov. 4 outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo was asked about a detention facility in Broadview denying access Nov. 1 to a Chicago auxiliary bishop and a delegation of clergy, religious sisters and laity, who wanted to bring Communion to Catholics detained there.
ABC News - Faith leaders blocked by ICE from delivering Communion to immigrants speak out
ABC News - The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic and Christian-rooted nonprofit, organized a Mass by the immigration processing center on All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.
Organizers estimate some 2,000 people attended on Saturday, as many prayed, sang and held signs protesting ICE.
Block Club Chicago - Faith Leaders Again Denied Entry To Broadview ICE Facility, Hold Mass Outside Anyway
Block Club Chicago: The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership hosted a Mass at the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview on November 1, 2025.
Chicago SunTimes - Request to give Communion to detainees at Broadview facility denied again
Chicago SunTimes: A group of religious leaders tried once again Saturday to provide Communion to detainees in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview and were turned away a second time, three weeks after a similar request was denied.
The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership organized the Mass — which fell on All Saints’ Day.
Catholic Media Coverage: People’s Mass at Broadview Detention Center
Coverage by Catholic Media Outlets of the November 1, 2025, People’s Mass outside the Broadview Detention Center, where Chicago Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado and Mercy Sister JoAnn Persch led the delegation making a second attempt to bring Communion to the people detained inside. Despite following all procedures as outlined by DHS and ICE, the delegation was once again denied access.
Press Release: Federal agents again deny Communion after Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership Mass at Broadview Detention Center
Up to 2,000 worshippers and 50 priests, women religious and deacons came to ask Immigrants and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow a delegation to offer communion inside the detention center in Broadview; “The answer was no.”
Video: Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center
Watch the key moments of our Eucharistic Procession to the Broadview Detention Center—a truly amazing demonstration of the power we have built as we struggle to protect and care for our immigrant community members.
Photos: Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center
1,000 people of faith united with us for our Eucharistic Procession to the Broadview Detention Center—a truly amazing demonstration of the power we have built. Several photographers beautifully captured the Procession.
Chicago Catholic - Immigration activists process with Eucharist to Broadview
Michelle Martin of Chicago Catholic tells the story of our October 11, 2025 Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center.
National Catholic Reporter - Activists in Chicago, barred from giving Communion to ICE detainees, plan next actions
Camillo Barone of National Catholic Reporter tells the story of our October 11, 2025 Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center.
America Magazine - Eucharistic procession turned back by feds at Broadview ICE detention facility
Kevin Clarke of America Media tells the story of our October 11, 2025 Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center.
Video: Fox 32 Chicago - Catholic group attempts to offer Communion to ICE detainees
Fox 32 covers our October 11, 2025 Eucharistic Procession to Broadview Detention Center
Chicago Catholic - Melrose Park parish hosts Mass, procession to support immigrant community
CSPL supported Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Melrose Park in planning this Mass and Procession to honor Silverio Villegas Gonzalez on September 24, 2025.
OSV News - Latino Leaders Explore the Role Community Organizing Can Play in National Politics
On September 29, Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez was a panelist for “Renewing Politics from the Ground Up: Lessons from Latino Organizing” — an event hosted by the Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. Joanna shared how using our faith in prophetic witness and organizing moves people spiritually and moves them into action. OSV News covered the event.