MEDIA ADVISORY: Faith Leaders to Provide Communion at Broadview ICE Facility on Holy Thursday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
FAITH LEADERS TO PROVIDE COMMUNION AT BROADVIEW ICE FACILITY ON HOLY THURSDAY
Following Judge Gettleman’s 2nd preliminary injunction that individuals in detention have a right to pastoral care during Holy Week
WHAT:
Faith leaders and clergy with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) will gather at the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Center in Broadview with four Catholic and Christian faith leaders who will enter the facility to provide Communion and pastoral care following a judicial injunction Tuesday allowing the group to enter the facility.
People detained at Broadview have a right to receive pastoral care, Northern District of Illinois Judge Robert Gettleman ruled Tuesday — a repeat of his ruling on Ash Wednesday that led to a prior pastoral visit by faith leaders.
WHERE/WHEN:
3PM Thursday, April 2nd 2026
We will begin with a blessing of four faith leaders as they go inside to provide pastoral care, followed by the Liturgy of washing of the feet outside. The leaders will provide a brief report back after they return from inside the detention center.
ICE Processing Facility, Broadview, 1930 Beach St, Broadview, IL 60155
WHO:
A selected group of faith leaders are prepared to offer Communion and pastoral care if the DHS ICE officials give permission, and if so will share what they experienced afterward.
WHY:
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security agreed to a daily visit from Thursday through Sunday afternoon to allow Catholic and Christian faith leaders to provide pastoral care on Holy Week through Easter, which is the most liturgically significant week in the Christian calendar. Holy Thursday commemorates the day Jesus washed the feet of his disciples—an act of humility, service, and love—and the day he was detained by authorities.
“Allowing plaintiffs to provide pastoral care to migrants and detainees will improve the condition of those detained at Broadview,” Judge Gettleman noted in his injunction Tuesday, finding that detainees have a right to religious care. This is the latest development in a standoff dating back six months over the treatment of those in detention and human dignity.
Most recently, faith leaders with CSPL provided Communion and pastoral care to 4 detainees and 3 guards on Ash Wednesday.
“The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership stands in solidarity with immigrant communities, calling attention to their dignity, amplifying their voices, and advocating for compassionate and humane treatment,” said Father David Inczauskis, SJ. “We will not stop until we have achieved our aim of providing pastoral care and Communion, especially at one of the holiest times of the year.”
About the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership: CSPL is a Catholic and Christian rooted community organizing coalition of over 60 parishes, universities and community organizations that labors to transform racial, economic, social and environmental systemic structures through grassroots coalition building, community organizing, and liberative formation. More at csplaction.org.
Media Contacts:
Yesenia Rivera, yeseniamrivera24@gmail.com, 773-934-7042
Gordon Mayer, gordon@gordonmayercommunications.com, 312-307-0133
Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez, joanna@csplaction.org, 331-343-7301
Spokespeople who will be entering the facility:
Fr. Paul Joseph Keller, CMF
Fr. Juan Vargas
Sr. Alicia Gutierrez, SH
Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ
