Immigrant congregations across the United States are increasingly shifting their worship practices online, turning to virtual sermons and even home-based communion, as tighter immigration enforcement under former President Donald Trump’s policies leaves many fearful of attending church services in person.
Pastors and faith leaders say the shift reflects a deep sense of anxiety among immigrant communities, where raids, detentions, and threats of deportation have made once-safe sanctuaries feel uncertain.
“Families are afraid to be out in public even for worship,” said Reverend José Martinez, who leads a predominantly Latino church in Texas. “We have members who won’t risk driving to Sunday service. So we bring the service to them, through livestreams, prayer groups on WhatsApp, and in some cases, communion at home.”
Churches in states with large immigrant populations, including California, Florida, and New York, report similar trends. Priests and ministers have begun training lay leaders to deliver consecrated bread and wine to homes, while others have created virtual chapels where worshippers can log in anonymously.
Faith organizations argue that these adaptations are not just about maintaining spiritual connection, but also about providing emotional support at a time of heightened vulnerability. “For many, faith is a source of strength against fear,” said Sister Angela Romero, a Catholic nun working with immigrant families in Arizona. “If people cannot safely gather, we have to meet them where they are.”
The Trump campaign has defended the crackdown, framing it as a matter of “law and order” and insisting that immigration enforcement does not target worshippers. But rights groups say the effect on religious life is undeniable.
A recent survey by the Migration Policy Institute found that nearly one in three immigrant respondents had reduced attendance at religious or community events due to fear of immigration enforcement.
Civil liberties advocates warn that the shift could weaken traditional community networks that churches have long provided, from food banks to legal aid. “When immigrants retreat into private spaces, they lose access to critical resources and society loses a vital thread of civic life,” said ACLU policy director Marissa Johnson.
Despite the challenges, faith leaders say resilience remains strong. “Whether in a church pew or on a smartphone screen, people are worshipping,” Reverend Martinez said. “The gospel has never been confined to four walls, and it won’t be now.
