From Fox News: A federal judge has upheld a Trump administration policy that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out enforcement operations at churches and other places of worship despite lawsuits against it from faith-based groups.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, appointed by Trump during his first term, denied a request from more than two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations to block the policy. The groups said it infringes on religious freedoms and is causing drops in attendance, especially among immigrants worried about being detained by ICE.
The court found little evidence that ICE is targeting churches or that the change in policy is solely to blame for fewer people attending services. Friedrich noted that only a few enforcement actions have actually taken place at or near religious sites.
“That evidence suggests that congregants are staying home to avoid encountering ICE in their own neighborhoods, not because churches or synagogues are locations of elevated risk,” Friedrich wrote in her opinion.
The policy at the center of the lawsuit took effect Jan. 20, Trump’s first day back in office.
BREAKING: Federal judge declines to block DHS agents from conducting immigration raids at churches.
“At least at this juncture and on this record, the plaintiffs have not made the requisite showing of a ‘credible threat’ of enforcement,” U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich… pic.twitter.com/wzTDE5aSgV
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) April 11, 2025
Trump administration scores win as judge clears way for ICE enforcement in churches, places of worship https://t.co/MgzvOqKmJ5
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) April 12, 2025
This comes as some states have tried to pass bills making it illegal for ICE to enter “sensitive locations” such as schools, libraries, or churches without a warrant.
The Maryland House of Delegates has passed Senate Bill 828, which prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials from entering sensitive locations such as schools, libraries, or churches without a warrant. The bill, which passed with 98 votes in the affirmative, is… pic.twitter.com/oyhaNCJ5vn
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) April 7, 2025
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