Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 8 September 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. 

Federal immigration raids planned for Chicago and other sanctuary cities in coming days after a weekend of warnings

Ove the weekend, Chicago and other sanctuary cities braced for anticipated immigration enforcement actions as the Trump administration signaled a nationwide surge in deportations. ICE operations in Chicago follow similar sweeps in Boston, Los Angeles, and a recent raid at Georgia manufacturing plant. Local officials and communities expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about public safety, civil rights, and community trust, while preparing for possible National Guard deployments to address violent crime. Despite the threats, city data shows a decline in fatal shootings this year. Residents of Chicago’s Latino neighborhoods, such as Pilsen, continued cultural celebrations like Mexican Independence Day with caution, equipping themselves with legal information and safety measures. Some nearby events were postponed or canceled due to immigration concerns, reflecting widespread anxiety, even as community members emphasized solidarity and unity in the face of federal enforcement efforts.

Analyst Comments: HOWs in sanctuary cities face added pressure, as HOWs serve as a safe haven for undocumented immigrants. Increase Federal enforcement could deter attendance and strain community trust, highlighting the tension between federal priorities and local efforts to maintain cohesion and support vulnerable populations. Protests this past weekend in DC showed that local residents are prepared to push back on perceived overreach from Federal officials, and the Supreme Court’s decision to lift restrictions on L.A. immigration stops will likely only fuel civil unrest. This activism is likely to be strongest in sanctuary cities where future deployments are planned. As with any form of civil unrest, first amendment protected activities still pose a risk for escalations to violence between protests, counter-protesters, and law enforcement officials.

Strengthening Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad & Executive Order – Strengthening Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad 

On September 5^th, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Strengthening Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad”, empowering the Secretary of State to designate any foreign government, or controlling entity, as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention” if it engages in, is complicit in, or fails to remedy wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, as defined under the Levinson Act. This order authorizes a range of punitive measures, including sanctions under IEEPA, visa and immigration restrictions, travel bans, export controls, and reductions in foreign assistance, to deter and penalize coercive detentions. Additionally, the designation can be lifted if a country releases detained Americans, demonstrated policy changes, and offers credible assurances against future wrongful detentions.

Analyst Comments: This executive order shows a growing recognition of risks U.S. nationals face when traveling, working, or studying abroad. Wrongful detention creates uncertainty for individuals and organizations operating internationally. The order signals an emphasis on deterrence through clear consequences for states that engage in such practices. This also highlights the importance of robust travel risk assessments, crisis management planning, and staff awareness training. Families and individuals can also benefit from understanding the potential risks and knowing the resources available to them should a wrongful detention occur. 

IRS urges emergency preparedness ahead of peak disaster

The IRS is urging individuals and businesses to update or establish emergency preparedness plans as National Preparedness Month arrives at peak hurricane season and amid elevated wildfire risks. The guidance emphasizes safeguarding essential documents and valuables and familiarizing oneself with IRS disaster support channels such as the dedicated assistance line. In the event of a federal disaster declaration, filing and payment deadlines may be automatically extended based on the taxpayer’s address of record, and uninsured disaster-related losses may be claimed using IRS Publication 547. Employers are also encouraged to verify that their payroll service providers maintain a fiduciary bond and to enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to ensure secure, traceable tax payment capability if they are displaced.

Analyst Comments: The IRS guidance highlights the need for strong preparedness across all sectors, including faith-based organizations. Protecting records, securing payroll systems, and knowing how to access IRS disaster relief can speed recovery after crises. For HOWs and other organizations, readiness can ensure not only continuity of their own operations but also their ability to serve communities with shelter, food, and support when disasters strike.

Russia Unleashes Largest Drone Assault of War, Setting Government Building Ablaze

Over the weekend, Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the war against Ukraine, unleashing more than 800 drones, decoy drones, and missiles in a coordinated strike that severely damaged Kyiv, marking the first time the central government building was directly hit and killed at least four civilians, including a baby. In response, U.S. President Trump publicly states he is prepared to move into a “second phase” of sanctions against Russia, although he did not specify what those measures might entail. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent added that the U.S. and European Union are considering broadening their economic pressure by imposing secondary tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil, such as China and India, in hopes of collapsing the Kremlin’s energy -fueled war machine.

Analyst Comments: The situation shows how quickly conflict escalation can ripple across security, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The large-scale strike on Kyiv shows the ongoing risks to critical infrastructure and civilian populations, which can cause long-term disruption to stability and recovery efforts. On the economic side, discussions of additional sanctions and tariffs illustrate how global interdependence, particularly in energy markets, can shape the trajectory of a conflict. For organizations and communities outside the immediate conflict zone, the takeaway is the importance of resilience planning: preparing for indirect impacts such as energy volatility, supply chain shifts, and heightened cyber or misinformation activity that often accompany major international crises.