Faith groups across the United States 🇺🇸 have launched a series of lawsuits against the Trump administration in July 2025, aiming to stop immigration raids at houses of worship. These legal actions follow a major policy change that removed long-standing federal protections for “sensitive locations” such as churches, schools, and hospitals, sparking widespread concern among religious leaders and immigrant communities.
On July 28, 2025, a coalition of religious organizations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts Central Division. This lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s 2025 immigration policy, which now allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct raids at houses of worship. This marks the fourth lawsuit filed by faith groups since the policy shift, showing a coordinated and determined response from religious communities. Plaintiffs include several synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Alliance of Baptists, Metropolitan Community Churches, and the San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), among others.
These lawsuits are supported by legal advocacy groups such as Democracy Forward, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and the law firm Gilbert LLP. Their combined efforts represent the most significant faith-based challenge to immigration enforcement policy in recent years, with broad implications for religious freedom, immigrant safety, and federal law.
Policy Changes and Official Status
The controversy began on January 20, 2025, when the Trump administration rescinded a Biden-era policy that protected “sensitive locations” from immigration enforcement. This earlier policy, first introduced in 2011 and expanded in 2021, had prevented ICE from conducting raids at places like churches, schools, and hospitals except in rare, extreme cases. The new directive, issued by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, removed these restrictions and gave ICE agents broad authority to carry out enforcement actions at or near religious institutions and other previously protected spaces.
The administration has not issued a public replacement memo but has made it clear that ICE may now take enforcement action in schools and churches. This change has left many faith groups and immigrant communities feeling exposed and uncertain about their safety.
Impact on Congregations and Communities
Since the policy change, attendance and financial giving at affected congregations have dropped sharply. Many churches have gone underground, canceled ministries focused on immigrants, and stopped advertising programs out of fear of raids. Multiple incidents of ICE presence and attempted enforcement near churches and schools have been reported in 2025, including at least one arrest on a sidewalk outside a Catholic church in Downey, California.
Denver Public Schools also filed a separate lawsuit in February 2025 after noticing a significant drop in attendance among immigrant families due to fear of ICE activity. The district later dismissed the suit in June after reaching an agreement with federal officials, but the episode highlights the widespread anxiety caused by the new policy.
Key Stakeholders and Their Views
The plaintiffs in these lawsuits include five regional synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, three regional Quaker groups, American Baptist Churches USA, Alliance of Baptists, Metropolitan Community Churches, and others. Legal representation comes from Democracy Forward, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Gilbert LLP. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is the named defendant in these cases.
Religious leaders have spoken out strongly against the policy. Rev. Lisa Dunson of the Alliance of Baptists and Bishop Brenda Bos of the Southwest California Synod (ELCA) have both condemned the policy, calling it a violation of religious freedom and a desecration of sacred spaces. They argue that houses of worship should be safe places for all, especially for those seeking comfort and support.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that enforcement activity in schools should be “extremely rare” and require “secondary supervisor approval.” However, this is a much lower threshold than the previous protections, leaving many feeling that the promise of restraint is not enough.
Legal and Policy Implications
The lawsuits argue that the new policy violates the First Amendment, which protects freedom of religion and assembly, as well as the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Faith groups say the policy has created a climate of fear, reduced participation in worship and ministries, and forced congregations to change or cancel programs that serve immigrants.
Plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the 2025 policy unconstitutional and unlawful, and to issue an injunction blocking ICE raids at houses of worship. Legal experts note that the Trump administration implemented the new policy without the usual notice-and-comment process, which could be a violation of the APA.
Background and Historical Context
Trump administration rescinded protections for sensitive locations
Denver Public Schools filed a lawsuit
Denver Public Schools dismissed the lawsuit after reaching an agreement
Coalition of religious organizations filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts
Lawsuits still in early stages, no court rulings yet
For over a decade, the Department of Homeland Security had an internal policy discouraging immigration enforcement at sensitive locations. The Biden administration expanded these protections in 2021, making it clear that places like churches, schools, and hospitals should be off-limits for ICE raids. The Trump administration’s decision in January 2025 to rescind these protections marks a sharp break from both Democratic and Republican precedents, which had generally respected religious and community spaces as safe zones.
Multiple Perspectives
Faith groups argue that the policy undermines religious freedom, puts immigrant communities at risk, and breaks with decades of legal and social norms. Legal experts point out that the policy was put in place without the usual public input, raising concerns about its legality. The Trump administration defends the policy as necessary for immigration enforcement but has not provided detailed public justification or data on its impact.
Immigrant families report increased fear and reluctance to attend church, school, or seek social services. Many worry that attending a house of worship could put them or their loved ones at risk of arrest or deportation.
Future Outlook and Pending Developments
As of July 29, 2025, the lawsuits are still in the early stages. No court has yet issued an injunction or ruling on the policy. More faith groups and civil rights organizations may join or file related lawsuits as incidents continue and legal challenges move forward. The Department of Homeland Security has not clarified whether all previous sensitive location memos have been rescinded or if new guidance will be issued.
Practical Guidance for Affected Communities
Immigrant communities are encouraged to consult resources from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and Democracy Forward for up-to-date guidance on their rights in places of worship and other community spaces. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also provides information on current policies at dhs.gov.
If ICE appears at a house of worship, follow these steps:
- Do not open doors without a warrant signed by a judge.
- Ask to see identification and a copy of the warrant.
- Document the encounter, including time, place, agents’ names, and actions.
- Contact legal counsel and advocacy organizations immediately.
- Inform congregants of their rights and provide “Know Your Rights” materials.
- Report the incident to legal advocacy groups for possible inclusion in ongoing lawsuits.
Limitations and Caveats
No final court decisions have been issued as of July 29, 2025. DHS and ICE have not released full data on the number or locations of raids at houses of worship since the policy change. Policy guidance may change depending on the outcome of ongoing litigation or further administrative action.
For the most current updates, monitor official court dockets, statements from advocacy groups, and DHS announcements. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of these lawsuits could set important precedents for how faith groups and immigrant communities are treated under federal law.
Affected individuals and organizations should seek legal counsel if they experience or expect ICE enforcement at religious or community sites. Staying informed and prepared is the best way to protect rights and ensure safety during this period of uncertainty.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws, conducting deportations and raids on suspected undocumented individuals.
First Amendment → U.S. constitutional right protecting freedom of religion, speech, and peaceful assembly.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) → Federal law ensuring government actions do not substantially burden religious exercise without compelling interest.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) → Law governing federal agencies’ rulemaking processes, requiring transparency and public input.
Sensitive Locations → Places like churches, schools, and hospitals historically protected from immigration enforcement actions.
This Article in a Nutshell
In July 2025, faith groups sued the Trump administration to stop ICE raids in houses of worship. The policy removing protections sparked fear among immigrants and religious communities. Lawsuits claim constitutional violations and seek legal injunctions to protect religious freedom and immigrant safety across the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
