With the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, a local Oak Park agency that once focused mainly on providing support services to immigrants now has a new focus: staying vigilant to protect the rights of those it serves.
The Migrant Ministry, started in 2023 as a way to provide showers and other basic services to local immigrants, has in this short time helped more than 14,000 migrants with basic necessities and wraparound support services.
Now, although its client numbers are down, the Oak Park agency has an added focus: taking precautions as federal immigration enforcement is allowed to conduct arrests in places of worship.
“All of a sudden, the Fourth Amendment means a whole lot,” said Celine Woznica, the director of program development.
The ministry currently operates out of Centro San Edmundo, 200 S. Oak Park Ave. The building was previously St. Edmund School.
“We are not stopping. We are exercising precautions, but we continue to welcome the migrants. We want to create an atmosphere within the building that they are safe, and that we uphold their dignity and their rights.”
The Fourth Amendment protects the right against unreasonable search and seizures, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can only enter private areas with a judicial warrant that is signed by a judge and specifically describes the private area they are entering. On Feb. 4, the Village of Oak Park said it will not assist with federal immigration enforcement operations in the area.
Despite a substantial reduction in the number of people seeking its help, the ministry carries on. “I worry about the migrants themselves that are in need of what we can provide here, but are afraid to come out,” Woznica said.
In 2024, the ministry served 10,806 migrants, and another 3,438 were indirectly served by family members who got resources for them, according to Don Woznica, co-director of short-term services and Celine’s husband.
“In the first two months of 2025, our numbers have fallen dramatically. Through Feb. 20, we have received 929 migrants and indirectly served 343 … by this date last year, we had received 1,993 migrants,” he said.
Organizers attribute the drop to cold weather, fear of ICE and the reduction in people crossing the southern border.
The Migrant Ministry was formed in June 2023 through a partnership between the St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish, Ascension and the St. Edmund Parish. The ministry was created to support asylum seekers and migrants who began arriving in Oak Park in 2023.
Multiple times, ICE vehicles have been seen outside of their building, Woznica said, and they now have a volunteer patrolling the grounds with a walkie-talkie in hand. They have created a rapid response plan in case ICE attempts to enter the ministry, and have distributed thousands of flyers, cards and information packets to help migrants know their rights.
Woznica said the ministry is taking every precaution to protect both their rights as a place of worship and the rights of migrants they serve. They are even removing the insulation around the front-door to the ministry, so a piece of paper can easily be slipped through to immigration enforcement. She fears the act of opening the door to ICE agents to say “we do not consent to a search” could mean consent for federal agents to enter.
Places of worship along with schools, childcare centers and hospitals, are now treated like any other private property. Before the Trump administration, these “sensitive locations” were largely off-limits to immigration enforcement.
Earlier this month, 27 religious groups filed to sue the federal government over the Trump administration’s decision to let federal immigration enforcement work in sensitive areas, according to the Associated Press. The religious organizations argue the Trump administration is violating their rights to religious freedom because of the fear ICE arrests and raids have brought, impacting attendance and the administering of services and programs.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for a large portion of Venezuelan migrants in the U.S., leaving them until April 7 to legally live and work in the country. Last week, the administration announced they will also halt TPS for a portion of Haitian migrants according to the Associated Press. It is up to the government to renew TPS after the initial 6-to-18-month time periods expire.
Celine Woznica, the director of program development, views a binder with information about ICE and the ministry’s response protocols at the Centro San Edmundo at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, IL, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Woznica said the Migrant Ministry is “dug in”, after recent immigration actions by the Trump administration, and is currently taking precautions to continue their support to local migrants. 
Kid’s shoes are on display in a “donations with dignity” clothing pantry in the Centro San Edmundo at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, IL, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. The Migrant Ministry’s clothing pantries are set up for people to “shop” for themselves, so they can choose items that best serve them. 
A volunteer teaches a migrant during an English as a second language class at the Centro San Edmundo at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, IL, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. 
A migrant stands in the hallway of the Centro San Edmundo, at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, IL, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. 
A classroom converted into a clothing pantry displays women’s and children’s clothes at the Centro San Edmundo at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, IL, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. “Here, for the most part, we can really help them[migrants] get what they actually need, not just what’s given to them,” Beth Vlerick, a volunteer at the Migrant Ministry, said.
According to ministry organizers, migrants from Venezuela make up about 60% of their overall clients, another 20% are from Ecuador and 10% from Columbia. The ministry has also served migrants from Haiti, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Honduras, Angola and Ukraine. Although the ministry is focused on supporting migrants, they help anyone who is in need of their services.
The ministry’s immigration support services assist with applications for asylum and work permits. They also help cover costly legal expenses and find immigration lawyers to take cases. Organizers said migrants seeking legal assistance have dramatically increased, and the process involves a team of volunteer translators and lawyers to help complete application processes.
As the ministry strategizes federal immigration developments, the lull in migrants is about the only change to their weekly services provided from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Every week, around 40 volunteers open the ministry’s doors to provide free clothing, breakfast, toys and support services that include: immigration support, English language classes, housing support, health care, and a playroom and art classes for youth.
The ministry is run by volunteers, and they come from many organizations including local high schools, colleges, faith-centers and scouting troops. Although the Migrant Ministry is of the Catholic Community of Oak Park, the effort is strongly interfaith, Celine Woznica said.
“Gustavo,” a volunteer, received support from the ministry after immigrating to Chicago from his home-country of Ecuador in August. Now, he helps migrants who have made the similar long, dangerous and taxing journey to the U.S. from Central and South America. Wednesday Journal is using his first name only because he fears for his safety.
Gustavo, who spoke in Spanish while Celine Woznica translated, said it took him two months to arrive in the U.S. as he rode on buses and trains, and crossed mountainous terrain and rivers on foot. He now volunteers at the ministry between his English classes and helps other migrants as he searches for a job.
“I like to help and to serve people. I’ve always had this inclination to help in any way that I can,” Gustavo said in Spanish.
Shivani Maisuria, a Loyola University Chicago student, volunteers in the women’s and children’s clothing pantry at the ministry. She said families will wait outside the ministry on the coldest of days to get the support they are in need of.
“What surprises me the most is the willpower of the clientele. On Tuesday, we had some families showing up at 3 a.m. and it was below freezing, and they stood here until we opened. It was just so eye opening to see how far they’re willing to go,” Maisuria said.
