Over two dozen Christian and Jewish religious organizations have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the administration’s immigration enforcement policies, arguing that these measures infringe upon their religious freedom and ability to serve their congregants. The lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with their respective leaders, as defendants.
The complaint, spanning 80 pages, emphasizes that despite their religious differences, the plaintiffs share a fundamental belief in the dignity of all human beings, regardless of birthplace. They argue that welcoming immigrants is a central tenet of their faith, and policies that hinder this mission directly interfere with their religious practices.
A key issue in the lawsuit is the government’s decision to rescind its long-standing policy of treating houses of worship as “sensitive locations,” where immigration enforcement actions were generally avoided except under extraordinary circumstances. This shift, the plaintiffs claim, has instilled fear among undocumented congregants, leading to declining attendance at worship services. Those who still attend are forced to choose between risking arrest and seeking refuge in their spiritual communities, which now must implement security measures that conflict with their duty to offer an open and welcoming environment.
The lawsuit asserts that the government’s new approach violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment by restricting the ability of faith communities to practice their beliefs freely. It also contends that the rescission of the sensitive locations policy was implemented unlawfully, as federal agencies are required to provide reasonable justifications for such significant policy changes. Instead, the government simply announced the policy shift without offering evidence to support its claim that places of worship were harboring criminals.
The plaintiffs argue that administrations from both political parties have historically recognized the sanctity of religious spaces and have refrained from conducting immigration enforcement actions there, except under exceptional circumstances. The new policy, they claim, disregards these precedents and fails to consider the serious harm it could cause to faith communities and the people they serve.
The legal challenge follows a public statement expressing concern over mass deportation policies and their humanitarian consequences. The statement warns against equating undocumented status with criminality and highlights the hardships faced by migrants, many of whom have fled poverty, violence, persecution, or environmental crises. It condemns actions that place already vulnerable individuals and families in even greater danger, emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect human dignity.
This lawsuit represents a unified stand by diverse religious groups against policies they believe compromise both their faith-based missions and the well-being of immigrant communities. Their legal action seeks to restore protections for places of worship and reaffirm their role as sanctuaries where all people, regardless of immigration status, can find safety and support.
