Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 21 November 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried

Leaders of immigrant and Spanish-speaking churches are alarmed after a viral WhatsApp recording warned of planned ICE raids on churches. The message reportedly from an unidentified pastor in the Atlanta area claimed major immigration enforcement actions would take place, leading some congregations to consider canceling services. The DHS has denied any announced plans to target churches but have not ruled out the possibility of making arrests in certain circumstances.

Analyst Comments: These warning show how quickly fear can spread in vulnerable communities especially without confirmation. It is important for congregations and community members to stay informed through official channels, verify claims with trusted local leaders, and avoid relying solely on social media audio clips. Individuals should consider understanding their basic rights: ICE cannot enter private spaces without proper legal authority and people are not required to open doors or answer questions about immigration status.

Also see: Clergy response to border patrol in Charlotte

Church Mass Shootings: What We Can Learn From The Patterns Of Attacks On Houses Of Worship

According to data from the Violence Prevention Project, between 2000 and 2025 there were 246 shooting incidents at places of worship, resulting in 402 victims and 307 deaths.  Many attacks are motivated by hatred; whether racial, religious, or ethnic or stem from personal or domestic conflicts. There are notable patterns: most shootings happen on Sunday mornings or just outside the building, and geographically they’re more common in the South and the Midwest.  Many shooters are male; a number have military backgrounds or prior criminal records. The article highlights several tragic examples: the 2017 First Baptist Church shooting in Texas, the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack, the 2015 Emanuel AME Church massacre, and a 2025 shooting at an LDS chapel in Michigan. 

Analyst Comments: To address this risk for proactive prevention HOWs should consider conducting risk assessments, create emergency response plans, train congregants, and potentially invest in security measures. Alongside having a partnership and communication with local law enforcement is important as rapid response can be lifesaving.