Coalition of Religious Groups Challenges Trump’s Immigration Policy in Federal Lawsuit

Coalition of Religious Groups Challenges Trump’s Immigration Policy in Federal Lawsuit

A coalition of 27 Christian and Jewish organizations, representing millions of Americans, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a contentious Trump administration action permitting federal immigration enforcement to conduct arrests in places of worship. This legal action highlights the ongoing conflict surrounding immigration policies and their implications for religious freedoms.

The federal lawsuit was initiated in U.S. District Court in Washington. It represents a diverse array of religious groups, including the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Mennonites, and Unitarian Universalists. The coalition contends that the Trump administration’s policy overturns protections established under the Biden administration that previously barred immigration arrests in sensitive locations like churches, schools, and hospitals.

The Impact of the New Policy on Religious Communities

According to the lawsuit, the recent policy shift has incited fears among congregants, resulting in decreased attendance at worship services and related programs. The lawsuit argues that this decline infringes upon the groups’ religious freedoms, particularly their ability to provide spiritual care to migrants, including those who are undocumented.

The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, expressed the profound impact of this situation. In a statement to The Associated Press, he said, “We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear. By joining this lawsuit, we’re seeking the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Background on Litigation Efforts

This lawsuit is not an isolated case. In January, five Quaker congregations lodged a similar lawsuit, which later garnered support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and a Sikh temple. That case remains pending in U.S. District Court in Maryland, illustrating a broader movement among faith groups to challenge immigration enforcement policies.

The new lawsuit identifies the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies as defendants. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, defended the new policy. She stated, “We are protecting our schools, places of worship, and Americans who attend, by preventing criminal aliens and gang members from exploiting these locations.”

Contentions of Speculation and Hypothetical Harm

The suit faces scrutiny, particularly regarding the arguments presented in the ongoing Quaker case. A memorandum issued by the Department of Justice suggests that the claims made by plaintiffs are based on speculation about hypothetical future harm, which may not provide adequate grounds for courts to grant an injunction.

The DOJ maintains that immigration enforcement in places of worship has been permitted for decades. According to their latest policy, field agents are instructed to exercise “common sense” and “discretion” while conducting operations in sensitive locations, though they now can do so without prior approval from a supervisor.

Broader Representation of Worshippers

This latest lawsuit features plaintiffs representing a significantly larger demographic of American worshippers. Their numbers include over 1 million followers of Reform Judaism, approximately 1.5 million Episcopalians, 1 million members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and around 1.5 million active members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, among others.

Kelsi Corkran, lead counsel from the Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, emphasized the magnitude of this case, noting, “The massive scale of the suit will be hard for them to ignore.” She explained that the plaintiffs joined the lawsuit due to their religious obligations to embrace and serve immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

Changes to Enforcement Operations

Under the previous federal policy, immigration agents typically needed judicial warrants to conduct operations in sensitive places. Corkran pointed out that the new policy allows for broader enforcement capabilities. “Now it’s go anywhere, any time,” she remarked, highlighting the potential for agents to apprehend undocumented individuals in previously protected spaces.

Many of the religious groups involved in the lawsuit operate programs that directly aid undocumented migrants. For instance, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Mennonites host food banks, meal programs, and homeless shelters. These services are essential, yet the policies have created an environment of fear among those they aim to help.

The Migrant Experience Under Current Policies

The Latino Christian National Network, one of the plaintiffs, described a pervasive atmosphere of fear following the new immigration policy. Rev. Carlos Malavé, president of the network and a pastor in Virginia, remarked, “There is deep-seated fear and distrust of our government. People fear going to the store, and they are avoiding going to church.” He further noted that many congregations are shifting to online services, reflecting the anxiety surrounding physical attendance.

Responses from National Religious Organizations

Interestingly, not all religious organizations joined this legal action. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which leads the nation’s largest denomination, opted out, although it has publicly criticized Trump’s aggressive deportation strategies. Meanwhile, Pope Francis recently voiced strong criticism of the administration’s immigration policies, labeling the forceful removal of individuals based on their immigration status as a violation of their dignity.

Diverse Reactions from Religious Leaders

The issue continues to divide opinion among religious leaders and scholars. Some conservative religious figures have expressed little concern regarding immigration enforcement in places of worship. Mat Staver, founder of the conservative Christian legal organization Liberty Counsel, explained, “Places of worship are for worship and are not sanctuaries for illegal activity.” He emphasized that individuals committing crimes do not escape legal accountability simply by entering a church.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.