Judge Upholds ICE Enforcement in Religious Spaces, Dividing Courts

A federal court in Washington, D.C., ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s policy allowing immigration raids in houses of worship, while other jurisdictions issue conflicting rulings.

• U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled that religious groups challenging the Trump administration’s policy lacked sufficient evidence of harm to block ICE enforcement in houses of worship.
• The decision maintains the administration's January 20 policy reversal, which rescinded a 30-year-old restriction on ICE operations in sensitive locations like churches.
• The court noted minimal evidence of ICE targeting religious sites, with only a few enforcement actions reported since the policy change.
• Religious organizations argue the policy infringes on First Amendment rights and has caused declines in worship attendance, though the court found no direct link to the policy.
• The ruling contrasts with a Maryland court decision that temporarily blocked ICE operations at religious sites affiliated with certain groups, highlighting divergent judicial responses.

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