Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Department of Homeland Security on the incident.A San Fernando Valley community is outraged and devastated after they say federal immigration agents forced their way onto the grounds of a church during a food giveaway and arrested a man who church officials say helps with children's ministries.Leaders of the North Hills United Methodist Church gathered on Monday morning for a news conference to denounce the immigration raid that took place at the house of worship on Rayen Street on Jan. 29, an incident church officials called "terror at a house of God." "With sadness and pain in our hearts we want to share that on January 29 our Beloved Church was desecrated by immigration agents who entered our property wearing masks and carrying weapons. Despite being asked not to enter, they did not respect our request and forced their way in," the church posted on Facebook. "They ran throughout the church property among families, children and elderly people while we were serving our food ministry, among other ministries that we were forced to stop. This tragedy caused significant trauma to members of our church and to the broader community. This was a violation of our Sacred Right to Worship and Serve our Lord Jesus Christ Freely and Safely." Community devastated after man arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds. (North Hills United Methodist Church)Community devastated after man arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds. (North Hills United Methodist Church)Community devastated after man arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds. (North Hills United Methodist Church)Community devastated after man arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds. (North Hills United Methodist Church)Church officials, in a press release, stated that "a beloved community member" by the name of Carlos Chavez was arrested. The raid interrupted the church's food distribution ministry and an event for mothers and children in the church garden. Childcare and after school programs were also disrupted, according to church leaders. "Our food ministry is an expression of God's love for the hungry and because of ICE's senseless actions, we were forced to stop," North Hills United Methodist Church Pastor Ervin Adin Aguilon said in the press release. "Another ministry that was interrupted was the activity in our church garden where mothers, young children and youths were all on church campus, prompting leaders to act and shelter all attendees in a secure room for more than four hours." "Imagine being a child and seeing your mother scared, crying and wondering what's going on and having to confine yourself to a small room for hours," Pastor Aguilon continued. Queen Mary 2 comes to Southern California to reunite with its namesake At Monday's press conference, Pastor Aguilon nearly cried when describing the harrowing ordeal."I feel that my sacred right to worship my Lord, Jesus Christ, and serve him were violated," he said. "It breaks my heart…this is my place to worship my Lord, and I am devastated."North Hills United Methodist Church Pastor Ervin Adin Aguilon speaks at a press conference on Feb. 2, 2026. (KTLA)Mayra Medina-Núñez, the executive director of a local nonprofit called The Refugee Children Center, elaborated further on the arrest of Carlos Chavez."As the agents approached, Carlos froze briefly and then attempted to seek refuge on church grounds," Medina-Núñez explained. "The agents did not hesitate to chase him, holding large firearms even as someone shouted that they were entering private property and that children, women and elders were present, many of them waiting in line for the food pantry." California union believes Waymos should be off the streets "Moments later, we realized a second truck had positioned itself at the church parking lot exit, with three additional agents blocking the entrance — all were dressed in tactical gear, fully masked with large firearms," she continued. "Their presence terrified children and families on sacred church grounds."Pastor Aguilon called Chavez, a local food vendor, "not just a taquero" (Spanish for taco vendor) but a cherished member of the faith community."I have been providing pastoral care to him and his family, and he has been helping by offering all he can to our children's ministries," he said.Speaking to KTLA 5's Kimberly Cheng, Pastor Aguilon said he was in contact with Chavez's wife, who said Carlos, the sole provider for their family, has already been deported to Mexico.KTLA reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on the incident and received a response on Monday afternoon:"U.S. Border Patrol did NOT target United Methodist Church or its parking lot in North Hills, California. On January 29, Border Patrol conducted an immigration enforcement operation in the area of Rayen Street and Sepulveda Boulevard that resulted in the arrest of Carlos Chavez-Guzman, an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously removed from this country in 2016. Chavez-Guzman chose to run from law enforcement, a federal crime, leading them on a foot chase before his arrest. This operation also resulted in the arrest of two other individuals from Mexico who have violated the immigration laws of our country. All three of these illegal aliens will remain in ICE custody pending removal.We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.