Religious Leaders File Lawsuit Over Immigration Enforcement in Places of Worship

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More than two dozen Christian and Jewish religious groups in the United States have jointly filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have allowed agents to conduct arrests in places of worship. The lawsuit, titled Mennonite United States v. Department of Homeland Security, was lodged in federal court in Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2025, and includes plaintiffs such as the Mennonite Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Episcopal Church.

According to Kelsi Corkran, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, this enforcement in churches and synagogues violates the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom. The lawsuit cites a decline in attendance at worship services and social programs due to fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Reverend Carlos Malavé emphasized that these policies create a "direct risk of government intrusion into sacred spaces."

Pope Francis has condemned these immigration practices, warning they undermine the dignity of individuals. The case addresses the arrest of Wilson Velasquez, a Honduran man detained while attending church, highlighting the fear impacting communities seeking to provide sanctuary.

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