Bomb squad called to prayer rally for Afghan refugees in Des Moines

Jun 05, 2025

The bomb squad was called to a prayer rally for Afghan refugees facing deportation from the United States.

The group, Love Them as Yourself, gathered in front of the federal building in downtown Des Moines on Wednesday, June 4, to advocate for the refugees who could be deported because the Department of Homeland Security revoked their Temporary Protected Status.

That's when a man laid down on the ground near them with a "tiny" cardboard box above his feet, said Eric Schubert, event organizer and pastor of Grinnell United Methodist Church. Federal police who later arrived suspected the box could have been a bomb, he said.

Attendees Cathy Halley and Danya Crites said they thought the man was part of their group. Crites said he joined shortly after they arrived, and she spoke to him about their cause.

He appeared confused and walked off, Crites recalled.

The man was taken into custody, the group was moved and the federal building was taped off while the bomb squad came to inspect the box, Schubert said. The perimeter was secured shortly after and police did not believe there was an ongoing threat, Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a news release.

Walnut Street from Second Avenue to Third Street was temporarily closed while the Des Moines Police Department Bomb Squad was on scene. Police caution tape was draped around a large sign that said "Save Afghan Lives."

Parizek later said the man was released pending further investigation from the Federal Protective Service.

The vigil Wednesday was the first for Schubert's group and intended to provide more information on how to help the 9,000 Afghan refugees, many of whom assisted the U.S. military as it pulled out of the country during Operation Enduring Freedom, facing deportation. Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem previously announced their Temporary Protected Status would end July 14.

Temporary Protected Status allows people to live and work legally in the United States because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.

Schubert said he was partly frustrated by the incident as it disrupted the event's momentum but hoped the man involved was OK. The crowd of about 50 who gathered around 11 a.m. dispersed after law enforcement arrived. By 1 p.m., about less than half remained.

A group, including Crites, sat by a street corner for prayer.

Despite the incident, Schubert and other attendees said they hoped it would not detract from the event's overall mission. One of them, Andrew Terlouw, said he felt it was his duty to speak up and stand up for "our allies in Afghanistan."

"While we were there, they have probably saved many American lives," said Terlouw, a veteran. "Isn't it necessary for us to now protect them? They'll be in trouble to go back there immediately, just having been in America.

"They probably won't have a trial, but many of them will face death. How can we do that after they've worked to save the lives of American soldiers?"

F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on X @writefelissa.

This story was updated to add new information.