Letter - Faith Leaders Seek Permission Again to Offer Pastoral Care and Communion at Detention Center in Broadview
Thursday, November 6, 2025
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Field Office – Chicago
101 W. Ida B. Wells Drive, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60605
Email: Chicago.outreach@ice.dhs.gov
Email: CHI-ERO-ChiefOfStaff@ice.dhs.gov
Re: Request for Meeting to Establish Pastoral Access – Broadview ICE Facility To Whom It May Concern:
We write to respectfully request a meeting with a designated official of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discuss the process and procedures by which our small delegation of religious ministers can be granted access to the Broadview facility in order to provide pastoral care and Holy Communion to detainees who desire it.
We previously submitted written requests on October 28, 2025, October 30, 2025 and October 31, 2025, and followed with a formal request on November 1, 2025, asking that our delegation be permitted to bring pastoral care and Holy Communion on the Catholic Feast of All Saints Day (November 1). That event date is now no longer relevant; instead, we seek a meeting at your earliest convenience, and a forward-looking arrangement for regular access for our ministers.
Most importantly, we draw your attention to recent remarks Pope Leo XIV, who, when addressing the treatment of detained migrants, said: “Jesus says very clearly … at the end of the world, we’re going to be asked, … how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him or not? And I think that there’s a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what’s happening.” “I would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs of those people.” Reuters
His call to authorities to permit pastoral access is directly applicable to the situation at the Broadview ICE facility and underscores the moral and spiritual imperative to allow detained persons the right to receive spiritual care and Holy Communion.
Members of our delegation have long experience serving in jails, prisons and other detention centers, and are more than willing to comply with any security and safety protocols your office requires. We request clarification of the exact steps, documentation, timing and criteria by which ministers may gain facility clearance and access. As part of our reason for requesting a meeting, we are seeking to better understand which detention centers across the region you have referred to in your prior communications and what their particular processes and protocols are with regards to accessing those facilities to provide pastoral care.
We understand that in past years ministers were granted access to the Broadview ICE facility for pastoral purposes. We also note public statements by DHS acknowledging detainees’ rights to chaplaincy and religious resources, while noting that requests for entry may require advance approval. For example: “the national detention standards … guarantee people the right to worship, access to a chaplain and other religious resources.” (see WBEZ, Oct. 27, 2025) and that any request for entry must be approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security “with sufficient time” to avoid interference with executive authority (see Chicago Tribune, Oct. 25, 2025).
In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request:
● A meeting with an ICE/DHS official who has authority to discuss and implement the minister-access process.
● Clarification of the process, criteria, documentation, and timeline by which our delegation can be approved for regular pastoral access (including but not limited to administering Holy Communion) at the Broadview ICE facility.
● Consideration of our delegation’s request to schedule regular, repeating access for ministers of various faith traditions, in order to meet detainees’ spiritual needs.
We appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. Please respond at your earliest convenience to schedule the meeting or to raise any questions you may have. We can be reached at (708) 567-0155 or via e-mail at michael@csplaction.org.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Sincerely,
Sr. Clare Bass, CSJ - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Sr. Jessi Beck, PBVM - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Fr. Peter Bernardi, SJ - CSPL Clergy Council
Sr. Carol Crepeau, CSJ - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Fr. Larry Dowling - CSPL Clergy Council
Sr. Cathy Fedawa, CSFN - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Br. Chuck Fitzsimmons - CSPL Clergy Council
Fr. Leandro Fossá, C.S. - CSPL Clergy Council
Deacon LeRoy T. Gill Jr. - CSPL Clergy Council
Fr. Dan Hartnett, SJ - CSPL Clergy Council
Fr. Clete Kiley - CSPL Clergy Council
Sr. Bernadine Karge, OP - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Sr. Jeremy Midura, CSSF - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Dr. Michael Okinczyc-Cruz - CSPL Executive Director
Sr. JoAnn Persch, RSM - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Sr. Kristin Peters, FSPA - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Sr. Janet Ryan, OSF - CSPL Women’s Religious Council
Fr. Juan Vargas - CSPL Clergy Council
Anthony Williams - CSPL Board President
