Church leaders have said federal immigration agents created “terror at a house of God” after arresting a volunteer during a food drive in Los Angeles.

Enforcement agents forced their way onto church grounds, according to North Hills United Methodist Church officials, detaining a man they say helps with children’s ministry. 

They described Carlos Chavez as a “beloved community member”.

In a social media post, leaders described their church as being “desecrated” during the raid by officers “wearing masks and carrying weapons”.

“Despite being asked not to enter, they did not respect our request and forced their way in," they said.

"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."

The leaders added: “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.

“Holy ground can't be desecrated." 

The video shows masked agents running through the church event, grabbing a man and dragging him away. 

Pastor Ervin Adin Aguilon was close to tears during a press conference when recounting the events, according to KTLA.

Chavez has been deported to Mexico, while his wife remains in the country, the outlet reported.

A media statement from the Department of Homeland Security said: “U.S. Border Patrol did NOT target United Methodist Church or its parking lot in North Hills, California." 

It described Chavez as “an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously removed from this country in 2016” and said he “chose to run from law enforcement, a federal crime, leading them on a foot chase before his arrest".

It comes as more than 150 bishops from the Episcopal Church in the United States called on Americans to “trust their moral compass” over immigration raids in Minnesota, following the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.