For Immediate Release
Press Contacts:
Linda Paris, Washington Lawyers’ Committee: [email protected], (202) 308-5186

Boston, MA — A large coalition of faith groups filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Kristi Noem over the sweeping and aggressive immigration policy that gives free rein to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct enforcement actions in and around houses of worship and other “sensitive locations.” The lawsuit argues the policy violates the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

For over 30 years, the federal government restricted immigration enforcement at houses of worship and other sensitive locations, acknowledging that to carry out raids, arrests, and surveillance at those locations could deny people of faith access to their places of worship and violate religious freedom rights.

Soon after taking office, the Trump administration abruptly reversed course and abandoned these longstanding protections, giving ICE agents discretionary power to use their “common sense” and decide whether to carry out enforcement actions at or near houses of worship.

The lawsuit was filed by Democracy Forward, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Gilbert LLP on behalf of: New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends; Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends; North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends; American Baptist Churches USA; Alliance of Baptists; and Metropolitan Community Churches.

Statements from select plaintiffs and co-counsel can be read here.

The lawsuit details how ICE agents have arrested people in church parking lots and during preschool pickup, and even attempted arrests while pastors were preaching. These actions have caused church attendance to decrease, forced congregations to lock their doors, and silenced the ministries that make worship communities safe for all people, regardless of their immigration status.

Earlier this year, Democracy Forward filed a similar case on behalf of houses of worship and got a preliminary injunction to prevent indiscriminate immigration raids. This lawsuit seeks similar immediate relief for additional congregations and houses of worship across the country.

The case is New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, et al., v. Department of Homeland Security, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Read the complaint here.