Federal Judge Blocks ICE Enforcement at Certain Houses of Worship
A federal judge ruled Monday against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting enforcement operations in certain places of worship.
US District Judge Theodore Chuang of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction preventing ICE from entering places of worship belonging to Quakers and other religious organizations involved in a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The case centers on “sensitive locations,” areas where ICE agents are restricted from conducting deportation operations.
ICE first established “sensitive locations” in 2011 under the Obama administration, prohibiting enforcement actions at sites such as schools, hospitals, and churches. The Biden administration later expanded the policy to include locations such as certain social services offices and public spaces, according to the Daily Caller. ICE agents have argued that these restrictions hinder their ability to apprehend criminal illegal immigrants.
Upon taking office, the Trump administration issued a directive to rescind Biden-era restrictions, aiming to restore ICE’s authority in making arrests and give immigration authorities more tools to use in its effort to carry out deportations.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in [Customs and Border Protection] and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens — including murders and rapists — who have illegally come into our country,” a DHS spokesperson said regarding the directive. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the spokesperson added.
Following the directive, several religious groups sued to block the policy change. DHS sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that claims of injury were “speculative.”
“To be clear, enforcement activities near places of worship have been permitted for decades,” said Trump administration lawyers. “The only thing that has changed is that pre-approval from a supervisory official is no longer mandatory.”
Judge Chuang’s injunction applies only to the houses of worship affiliated with the plaintiffs, despite their request for a nationwide ruling.
