The coalition of around 15 Christian denominations is part of a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's policy of making immigrant arrests within places of worship. The Anglican Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Methodist Anglican Church of Zion in Africa are three Christian denominations that participated. suitwhich of Before retracting that policy when President Trump took office, the Department of Homeland Security has for more than 30 years advocated “virally restricted immigration enforcement measures at or near places of worship.”
In total, the lawsuit includes 27 Christians and Jewish groups.
In late January, US immigration and customs enforcement officers arrested a Honduras man Wilson Rogerio Velásquez Cruz during a service at a Georgia Pentecostal church. Cruz was seeking asylum in the US
Such arrests crush the consecrated spaces of the sanctuary, block co-worship and undermine community service outreach. In other words The litigation alleges that the religious expression and spiritual practice for the plaintiffs' congregations and members.
Religious groups are “united on basic beliefs. Every human being, regardless of place of birth, is a child of God worthy of dignity, care and love. “Suit says.
Tom Homan, the border emperor within the Trump administration, defends arrest policies within places of worship and schools.
“It's a national security threat, a public security threat,” he said. ABC News “And you need to understand that it's a case. Name another agency, another law enforcement agency. Office or medical campus. It will be held to those standards.
“These are well-trained officers, a lot of discretion and there is still a supervisor's view when it comes to a sensitive spot,” Homan added. “ICE personnel should have discretion to determine whether it is a national security threat or a public safety threat in one of these facilities. In that case, arresting should be their option. .”
The lawsuit alleges that DHS' policies violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the First Amendment Expression Society's guarantee of freedom, and the Federal Administrative Procedure Act.
“The defendant cannot demonstrate that immigration enforcement measures at plaintiffs' places of worship serve persuasive national interests.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Kali9
Michael Foot For 20 years, I have covered the intersection of faith and news. His stories appear in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Leaf, Toronto Star, Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! He is the host of Cross Walk Talka podcast where he talks to Christian movie stars, musicians, directors and more. Listen to famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian films, books, television and other entertainment. You can find Cross Walk Talk Above lifeaudio.comor subscribe apple or Spotify So you won't miss an interview that will surely encourage your faith.
It was originally published on February 12, 2025.
