When Fear Comes to Church: Pastor Paco Amador on ICE Raids and the Call to Love Our Neighbors

What Does Faith Demand in an Age of ICE Raids?

In this first episode in an on-going series on immigration in America, host Curtis Chang talks with Pastor Luis "Paco" Amador about the struggles of Chicago's immigrant communities, especially in Little Village, where faith meets fear amid ongoing ICE raids. Pastor Amador shares stories of family separation, resilience, and gospel hope, revealing how churches stand as places of strength and compassion. The episode calls for biblical justice and unity within the church in the face of division and fear.

(03:15) - Immigration and Community in Chicago

(05:49) - Impact of Immigration Raids on Community

(12:54) - Immigration Rights Issues

(15:35) - Community Support

(17:38) - How Does the Bible Speak To the Immigrant's Experience?

(19:37) - Migrants and Persecution

(27:00) - A Faith Revival in Immigrant Communities

(34:00) - Immigration Reform and Order

(39:10) - Migrants Fleeing Collapsing Dictatorships

Episode Guide for Personal and Group Study

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Mentioned In This Episode:

• Images of ICE raids in Little Village, Chicago (the month of October)
• Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) The Beatitudes
• Acts 8:1-4 (ESV) The Scattering of the Church
• Genesis 12 (ESV) The Call of Abraham
• Justo L. Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation
• Justo L. Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day

More from Paco Amador

• Paco Amador: A Church With a Heart for Immigrants
• Little Village: New Life Community Church
• Immigrants Plant Churches and Revitalize a Neighborhood in Chicago (substack article)

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.