Liberal Religious Groups Challenge Trump Policy Allowing Immigration Raids in Churches and Synagogues
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington, D.C., sided with the Trump administration in a ruling that permits immigration agents to conduct enforcement operations at houses of worship, rejecting a preliminary injunction sought by more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups. The liberal leaning religious organizations argued that the policy violated their First Amendment rights and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by discouraging worshipers from attending services due to fear of immigration raids.
The lawsuit challenged a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive, implemented on January 20, the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term. This policy rescinded a decades-old practice that restricted immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations,” such as churches, synagogues, schools, and hospitals, unless special approval was obtained. The updated directive allows field agents to use “common sense” and “discretion” to conduct operations at these locations without needing a supervisor’s approval.
Judge Friedrich noted that only a handful of enforcement actions had occurred in or around religious sites and found no evidence that places of worship were being “singled out as special targets.”
Judge Friedrich ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue, as they failed to demonstrate a “credible threat” of enforcement specifically targeting houses of worship. She noted that only a handful of enforcement actions had occurred in or around religious sites and found no evidence that places of worship were being “singled out as special targets.” Friedrich further argued that the reported decline in attendance at religious services, which plaintiffs claimed had dropped significantly since January, could not be definitively linked to the new policy. Instead, she suggested that broader immigration enforcement actions, such as increased ICE operations in communities, might be contributing to congregants’ fears
The plaintiffs, including groups like the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, expressed concern that the policy undermines religious freedom by creating an atmosphere of fear that deters immigrants—both documented and undocumented—from participating in worship. Their lead counsel, Kelsi Corkran of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection, stated, “We remain gravely concerned about the impacts of this policy and are committed to protecting foundational rights enshrined in the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” Corkran indicated that the groups are reviewing the decision and considering further legal options.
 and Central Conference of American Rabbis, who argue it violates religious freedom.){kind=link}