Texas Faith Leaders Discussed Raids With ICE Officials
South Texas religious representatives met in Washington to address concerns over detention practices at houses of worship.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Immigration
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South Texas faith leaders met with federal officials in Washington to address immigration raids occurring at places of worship. The meeting included the acting head of ICE and centered on the detention of a McAllen nun earlier this year.
Why it matters
The discussion was prompted by the detention of a McAllen nun and reports of immigration raids at houses of worship. Faith leaders sought federal intervention to resolve administrative backlogs that have resulted in legal status applicants facing detention.
The meeting was led by Representative Henry Cuellar, who represents Texas's 2nd Congressional district. Federal officials committed to a review of agent training protocols and an investigation into current administrative backlogs.
The players
Henry Cuellar
He is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd Congressional district who led the delegation of faith leaders.
David Venturella
He is the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who participated in the D.C. meeting.
Diocese of Laredo
This is a Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Texas that sent representatives to the meeting with federal officials.
Assemblies of God
This is a Pentecostal denomination that participated in the discussions regarding immigration raids.
The details
Faith leaders, including representatives from the Diocese of Laredo and the Assemblies of God, met with acting ICE head David Venturella to advocate for policy changes. The participants focused on the impact of detention practices on their local communities and the legal complications arising from visa processing delays.
Timeline
June 2026: A McAllen nun was detained by ICE, sparking local concern.
September 15, 2026: South Texas faith leaders met with federal officials in Washington.
Political Context
Opponents of increased interior enforcement, including civil liberties groups, argue that detention actions at sensitive sites undermine community trust and violate established federal protocols. These critics demand strict adherence to historical agency guidance that typically treats places of worship as off-limits for routine immigration operations.
Residents in the area may see shifts in federal engagement if new training and backlog processing rules are successfully implemented by the agency. These changes could impact the legal status and security of individuals currently navigating the visa application system.
The takeaway
Advocacy groups can influence federal policy through direct meetings with executive branch leadership in Washington. Ongoing administrative backlogs remain a critical pressure point for those seeking legal status updates in the region.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of regional enforcement, visit Texas Immigration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kgns.
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Should houses of worship be protected from federal immigration enforcement raids on their premises?
