Judge Halts Trump’s Controversial Immigration Policy Targeting Churches: What This Means for Religious Communities

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked immigration agents from carrying out enforcement actions in places of worship, including those of Quakers and some Baptist and Sikh communities. This decision comes from U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang, who believes the Trump administration’s policy may infringe on religious freedom.

The ruling acts as a temporary measure while a lawsuit is underway. The lawsuit was prompted by recent changes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, which dropped longstanding restrictions on immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, like houses of worship. Under the new directive, agents can use personal judgment to conduct operations without needing approval from a supervisor.

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs argue this new directive breaks from a 30-year tradition of keeping certain areas, including religious sites, free from immigration enforcement actions. A coalition of Quaker groups from Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia filed the lawsuit just days after the announcement of the policy change.

Many immigrants now feel too scared to attend religious services due to the potential of enforcement actions, leading to a diminishing presence in congregations. “People are not showing up, and the plaintiffs are suffering as a result,” stated Bradley Girard, an attorney for the plaintiffs, during a hearing.

On the other hand, government attorneys contend that the claims are based on speculation. They argue there’s no evidence that any religious organization has been targeted. The Justice Department maintains that some level of enforcement in sensitive areas has been permissible for years, with the only adjustment being the removal of the requirement for supervisor approval.

In addition to the Maryland case, over two dozen Christian and Jewish groups have launched a similar lawsuit in Washington, D.C., challenging the new policy. The Democracy Forward Foundation represents the Maryland plaintiffs, and their lawyers are urging the judge to extend this temporary block to a national level, citing concerns that the policy could allow access to any house of worship across the country.

The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex intersection of immigration policy and religious freedom, as communities stress the importance of safe spaces for worship without the fear of enforcement actions.

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