US judge halts Trump administration immigration raids at certain religious sites

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – A federal judge ordered a stop to the Trump administration enforcing immigration policies at worship sites belonging to Quakers, Cooperative Baptists, and Sikhs. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by these religious groups, challenging Trump’s decision to reverse a Biden-era policy that had limited immigration arrests in certain sacred spaces.

Democracy Forward, in a press statement, said the Monday ruling came after it filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (1,400 churches serving 750,000 Baptists), Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento (serving 30,000 Sikhs), and six Quaker Meetings.

US District Judge Theodore Chuang granted a limited temporary order requested by the religious groups challenging Trump’s policy, which allowed immigration enforcement at places of worship, as reported by CBS News.

The ruling protects only the worship sites used by Quakers, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Sikh Temple, not all religious locations nationwide.

Judge Chuang, an Obama appointee, found that the Trump administration’s policy had discouraged attendance at worship services, affecting not just undocumented immigrants but also those with legal status who feared being wrongly targeted.

- Enforcement would 'severely and adversely' impact religious gatherings

The court determined that this policy likely violates the religious groups' rights under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

In his 59-page opinion, the judge explained that immigration enforcement under the 2025 policy would "significantly and adversely" impact religious gatherings by reducing attendance. He added that having "armed law enforcement officers" at places of worship would hinder Quakers and Sikhs from "following their religious beliefs or worshiping freely."

The court ruled that the 2025 policy burdens religious groups by disrupting worship and immigrant support services. The judge said it exerts "substantial pressure" on these groups, forcing them to alter their practices by preventing worship with a "larger and more diverse group of congregants" and restricting key aspects of their faith.

Consequently, the judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the 2021 memo from former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which prohibited enforcement at certain "special protection" locations, including schools, medical facilities, and places of worship.

The memo emphasized that enforcement at houses of worship should be avoided "to the fullest extent possible." The court further directed the Department of Homeland Security under Trump to follow the 2021 memorandum when enforcing immigration rules at these religious groups' worship sites.

However, Chuang’s ruling still allows arrests at or near places of worship if a warrant is issued.

"For decades, the government has recognized that everyone – no matter their immigration status – should be able to attend houses of worship without fear of a warrantless government raid. Religious institutions should not have to go to court to fight for the right to worship and associate freely that is enshrined in our Constitution," said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, in response to the ruling.

Rev. Paul Baxley, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, also commended the decision: "Today’s ruling is a powerful affirmation of the values that have defined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship – a steadfast commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy, and the clear separation of church and state."

On Jan. 20, his first day in office, Trump revoked the Biden-era memo, replacing it with a directive stating that "bright line rules" on immigration enforcement are unnecessary.

Homeland Security defended the move, arguing that "criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches" and that law enforcement should use "common sense."

The Quakers, part of the Religious Society of Friends, have worshiped in the US since the 1600s and emphasize communal worship. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship includes over 1,400 congregations, many with immigrant members and ministries supporting refugees. The Sikh Temple near Sacramento, California serves about 30,000 Sikhs, with immigrants making up half its congregation, according to court documents.