Judge Blocks ICE From "No Warrant Raids" on Churches—for Now
Plus, how faith communities are 'ICE-proofing' their houses of worship
WASHINGTON—On Monday, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, based in Maryland, issued a ruling that temporarily blocks ICE from conducting immigration enforcement actions at certain houses of worship.
Judge Chuang’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of religious organizations, including Quaker congregations, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship network in Georgia, and a Sikh temple in California.
These groups challenged a Trump administration policy, enacted in January 2025, that removed previous restrictions on ICE operations in "sensitive locations" like churches, schools, and hospitals.
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A Limited Ruling
Judge Chuang's ruling is not a blanket prohibition across all religious institutions. Instead, it applies specifically to the roughly 1,700 places of worship affiliated with the plaintiffs in 35 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The judge found that the administration’s policy likely infringes on the religious freedoms of these groups, as it has led to a "chilling effect" on attendance and participation in worship and ministry, particularly among immigrant communities. He argued that this policy violates the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by burdening the free exercise of religion.
The ruling reinstates protections from a 2021 Biden-era memo for these specific locations, meaning ICE cannot conduct warrantless enforcement actions there while the lawsuit continues in federal court.
Warrant Now Required
However, ICE can still make arrests at these sites if backed by an administrative or judicial warrant. Chuang declined to issue a nationwide injunction, limiting the scope to the plaintiffs’ facilities, despite a broader request from the religious groups.
This decision reflects a tension between immigration enforcement priorities and religious liberty, sparked by the Trump administration’s push for expanded ICE operations following the revocation of Biden-era guidelines.
The administration had argued that such restrictions hindered law enforcement, but Chuang noted the lack of evidence showing how these limited protections would harm broader enforcement efforts.
The case may escalate to higher courts, as similar lawsuits from other religious coalitions are pending, and the administration is expected to appeal. For now, this ruling offers temporary relief to the named religious groups, preserving their spaces as sanctuaries for worship amid ongoing legal battles.
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Churches Upgrade Security
Houses of worship around that country that serve migrant congregations are installing doors that automatically close, often with key coded locks, to prevent federal agents from easily accessing their facilities.
At least one cross denominational faith group that preferred to not be named in this article for fear of retribution from the federal government is distributing a guidebook for “ICE-proofing” houses of worship after agents in Georgia staked out and detained a Honduran man during a Christian service—
“We are advising our members and partners to, where possible, install simple door closers were possible,” a faith leader in the Midwest told us. “But for those who can afford it, nothing beats a pushbutton number lock.” The faith leader said they share the code for the pushbutton lock to avoid ever leaving the church door unlocked.
ICE has long used duplicity and outright lies to access private property without a warrant. Agents have falsely stated that they have a warrant when they suspect the migrants on the other side of the door are not versed in English or legalese. Agents have also been known to enter private property unannounced through open doors and open doors that are unlocked, like the raid on TacoGONAS in Memphis, Tennessee on Feb. 10.
In addition to door closers and pushbutton locks, Ring Cameras which function as a door bell and a recording device are also being used in faith leaders’ fight to protect worshipers. “Overall we spent about $800 ICE proofing our church,” said a Roman Catholic priest who spoke on the condition of anonymity, adding that the hardware (closers, locks, cameras) was installed free of charge by volunteers after Mass on Sunday.
