Race Day Live Bishop Ebli De La Rosa believes in being prepared. Leading Church of God of Prophecy congregations across nine southeastern states, he is taking swift action following new immigration orders that remove protections for sensitive locations like schools and churches.
Many of his Latino pastors are undocumented, making them vulnerable to enforcement actions that could disrupt entire communities.
To counter this, De La Rosa has instructed congregations to train laypeople to take over pastoral duties if their leader is detained.
He has also advised churches to livestream all services and continue recording if authorities arrive unexpectedly. Some pastors now lock their doors during worship out of fear that immigration agents might enter at any moment.
“It breaks my heart that I can’t do more for them,” he said.
Latino evangelical churches across Florida and the Southeast are grappling with uncertainty. Many faith leaders worry that immigration enforcement could violate the sanctity of their worship spaces.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that officers will enforce immigration laws wherever necessary, including places of worship if they suspect illegal activity.
Agustin Quiles, a representative of the Florida Fellowship of Hispanic Councils and Evangelical Institutions, said that many Latino evangelicals feel betrayed.
Many had supported Donald Trump due to their conservative values, but now they feel abandoned as the administration’s actions bring fear and trauma to their communities.
“The message being sent is that all undocumented people are criminals,” Quiles said. “These actions are tearing families apart and hurting the church. We need the president to reconsider.”
Quiles’ organization is now lobbying lawmakers to reinstate protections for churches. Their primary focus is preserving family unity and shielding children from the impact of deportation.
Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, who previously advised Trump on immigration, insists that churches should not be concerned.
He claims that houses of worship will not face raids but acknowledges that law enforcement may monitor churches if criminal activity is suspected.
However, undocumented individuals living with someone who has committed a crime remain at risk of deportation, regardless of how long they have lived in the U.S.
The National Association of Evangelicals, representing millions of congregants, has expressed concern over the executive order.
They believe removing protections for churches and other sensitive locations discourages people from attending worship services. Some pastors are already witnessing this trend.
Rev. Esteban Rodriguez of Centro Cristiano El Pan de Vida in Kissimmee, Florida, said many undocumented congregants fear leaving their homes, even for work or church.
His church has been assisting by writing reference letters for immigration cases and connecting people with legal aid.
Rev. Ruben Ortiz, who represents the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, says Latino churches have built their sacred spaces through years of effort and without government assistance.
He was deeply troubled by an incident where someone was arrested outside a church during a service in Atlanta.
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“A church is supposed to be a place of refuge,” Ortiz said. “These laws are making our members feel unsafe. We are going to respond by embracing everyone, regardless of their immigration status. Our doors will remain open.”
Legal experts say that while immigration agents are unlikely to raid churches, they may still target individuals attending services.
Thomas A. Saenz of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund believes authorities will focus on individuals rather than conducting broad sweeps in places of worship.
“People should know their rights and that they have allies inside and outside the church,” he said. “If their rights are violated, there will be an outcry.”
The Latino evangelical community faces a unique challenge. Unlike mainline denominations that have clear immigration policies, many Latino churches are independent and influenced by conservative white evangelical theology, which often opposes immigration.
Lloyd Barba, a religion professor at Amherst College, said this lack of unified teaching creates hesitation among Latino pastors about how to respond. However, some leaders are turning to scripture for guidance.
Bishop Abner Adorno of the Assemblies of God Florida Multicultural District cites Deuteronomy 10:19: “So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.”
“The government enforces laws,” Adorno said. “But the church must show compassion.”
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