Following Judge's Order Clergy Enters ICE Facility in Illinois Offering Detainees the Sacraments During Holy Week
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Faith Over Bars: Clergy Perform Holy Thursday Rituals for ICE Detainees Following Court Order
BROADVIEW, IL — In a poignant display of faith and solidarity, Catholic clergy entered the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Thursday to perform traditional Holy Thursday rituals, including the washing of feet, for 14 detainees. The visit marks a significant legal and spiritual breakthrough following a months-long battle over religious access to the processing center.
Ina second preliminary injunction issued March 31, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman found that the government's denial of access to the facility just outside Chicago likely violated federal religious freedom law and the First Amendment. The ruling granted CSPL, clergy, and women religious access on Holy Week, the most holiest week of the Christian calendar.On Holy Thursday, Fr. Juan Vargas, Sr. Alicia Gutierrez, SH, Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ, and Fr. Paul Joseph Keller, CMF, entered inside of the Broadview ICE Facility and washed the feet of 14 detainees who were in handcuffs and shackles. They also provided Communion and pastoral care. Outside, fifty Catholic faithful stood in rain and heavy wind washing the feet of immigrant Catholics, praying the Rosary and singing, waiting for the pastoral delegation to emerge.
Three additional pastoral delegations, pictured below, were also able to enter on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter. We consider this is a victory to be able to be with our immigrant sisters and brothers in a time of need and profound trauma.
A Ritual of Humility
Father Paul Keller, superior of the Claretians’ USA-Canada province, was among others leading prayers and the opening and closing blessings. He along with two other priests and a nun, led three separate 15-minute services. The highlight of the visit was the washing of the feet—a ritual mirroring Jesus’ act of service to his disciples.
“This is the body of Christ, bringing the body of Christ to the body of Christ,” Fr. Keller said, describing the emotional scene. He noted that many of the detainees were visibly moved, with some moved to tears during the prayer and reflection.
However, the solemnity of the event was underscored by the stark realities of detention. Clergy reported that the detainees were brought to the service in shackles. When questioned, a facility guard attributed the use of restraints to being short-staffed.
A Long Legal Road
The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) filed a lawsuit in late 2025 after religious leaders were abruptly barred from the facility, which they had visited for years. While the government argued that Broadview is a "processing center" rather than a permanent detention facility—and thus not subject to the same visitation rules—the court found that the "blanket restrictions" placed a substantial burden on the religious exercise of both the clergy and the migrants.
This Holy Week access follows a similar court-ordered visit on Ash Wednesday in February.
Looking Ahead
While the current court order only guarantees access through Easter Sunday, faith leaders view this as a temporary victory in a larger struggle. Outside the facility, supporters and family members held their own vigil, performing a public foot-washing ceremony to show solidarity with those inside.
“This is a moment of light in a time of so much darkness,” said Rev. David Inczauskis of Loyola University Chicago.
Religious leaders and legal advocates are now calling for a permanent settlement with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that pastoral care is never again used as a point of political or administrative leverage. For now, the clergy intend to return to the facility every day through Easter to provide communion and prayer to those awaiting deportation.
Today, April 7th, Judge Gettleman issued another preliminary injunction lifting the ban on clergy visits to Broadview, requiring daily access for ministry, and directing both parties to establish safety guidelines.https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/03/photos-clergy-visits-broadview-ice-facility/
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