Overview

• U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled on April 11, 2025, in favor of the Trump administration's policy permitting immigration enforcement in houses of worship.
• The court found no evidence that religious sites were being specifically targeted, citing only a handful of enforcement actions at such locations.
• The ruling rejected a request for a preliminary injunction filed by over two dozen Christian and Jewish groups, who argued the policy violated religious freedoms.
• The administration rescinded a longstanding Department of Homeland Security policy in January 2025 that had restricted immigration arrests in sensitive locations, including churches.
• Mixed judicial rulings in other states reflect ongoing national debates over balancing immigration enforcement with religious protections.