Federal judges blocked the Trump administration from identifying and arresting immigrant raids within several places of worship on Monday in response to lawsuits filed by Quakers and other religious groups.
Maryland District Court Judge Theodore Chuan's narrow interim injunction applies only to six Quaker encounter homes in Sikh temples in Sacramento, California, a place of worship within the congregation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. .
The targeted injunctions contrast to some of the more drastic national restraint orders issued by judges against the Trump administration.
Former President Barack Obama appointee Chuan is what is known as enforcement over the withdrawal of more loose Biden-era guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs Border Protection (CBP) enforcement measures by the Trump administration We took a dim view of the measures. “Sensitive” areas such as churches.
He said the policy change has caused congregations that suffered from a decline in attendance by large immigrant groups, but the judge found it to be “specific injuries.”
“It is reasonable to expect such enforcement action to occur at plaintiffs' places of worship. [the Department of Homeland Security] In a press release, it specifically states its 2025 policy that “criminals can no longer avoid arrests at American schools and churches.” Order page 59.
“When issuing this injunction, the court has not questioned that law enforcement must have the capacity to carry out operations at or near places of worship, if necessary,” Chuan added. “The courts are sensitive and difficult to understand at this early stage of the case, under what circumstances, and under what circumstances law enforcement could potentially invade the place of worship to carry out a warrantless operation. Only on issues such as 2025 policies determine the lack of meaningful restrictions or safeguards… they do not meet these constitutional and statutory requirements.”
Chuan further argued that the Trump administration's policies likely violated the group's First Amendment rights, like other federal laws that restrict government activities that invade religious activities.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of religious groups as Left nonprofit democracy moves ahead.
“For decades, governments have recognized that no one should be able to attend a worship house without fear of legitimate government attacks, regardless of their status as immigrants. President and CEO of Democratic Forward CEO Sky Perryman said in a statement: “Our plaintiffs represent a unique and diverse coalition of religious organizations that have been at the forefront of protecting the values of religious freedom for centuries. It's there.”
“We are grateful to the court for acting to limit this illegal and harmful policy.”
DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the post.
