U.S. Court Reopens Lawsuit Against Immigration Enforcement in Churches

A federal appeals court in the District of Columbia has reopened a legal challenge brought by over two dozen religious organizations against the Trump administration's policy regarding immigration enforcement in houses of worship.

In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the plaintiffs demonstrated an imminent threat of immigration enforcement actions within their temples and ministries. This decision reverses a previous ruling that had denied a preliminary injunction on the grounds that the religious groups lacked standing to sue the government.

The case, Mennonite Church USA et al. v. Department of Homeland Security, will return to the lower court, where organizations can again seek an injunction to suspend immigration inspections in sensitive locations while the merits of the case are adjudicated.

For over 30 years, the U.S. government generally avoided immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including places of worship. However, on January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security changed its guidance, allowing agents to decide whether to act in these locations. The plaintiffs, including Baptist, Mennonite, Episcopal, Methodist, and Reform Jewish entities, argue this change violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the First Amendment, and administrative law.