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More than 20 religious groups in the United States have sued the government of Donald Trump over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in churches.
The lawsuit, representing millions of Americans practicing Christianity and Judaism, alleges that authorizing ICE officers to make arrests in places of worship is instilling fear and has decreased attendance at religious services. As a result, this undermines religious freedom, specifically the ability of groups to minister to migrants.
According to the Most Reverend Sean Rowe, president bishop of the Episcopal Church, among his congregation are immigrants, refugees, both documented and undocumented individuals.
"We cannot pray freely if some of us live in fear. By joining this demand, we seek the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, following Jesus' commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves," she declared to the AP. agency.
The complaint, filed in the District Court in Washington, is against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its immigration agencies.
Among the plaintiffs are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with over 3,000 congregations; the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas, which includes approximately 1,100 Hispanic Baptist churches; the General Conference of Friends, an association of regional Quaker organizations; the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, with more than 500 congregations; and the regional branches of the United Methodist Church.
In the opinion of Kelsi Corkran, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Law and Protection at Georgetown University, the magnitude of the claim will be hard to overlook.
Corkran recalled that previously, immigration agents typically required a court order or other special authorization for their operations in places of worship and other "sensitive" locations such as schools and hospitals.
"Now they can go anywhere, at any time. Now they have broad authority to intervene quickly," he stated.
Despite the high level of public support for the demand, many conservative religious leaders agree with the current policy of arrests.
This is the case of Mat Staver, founder of the conservative Christian legal organization Liberty Counsel, who asserts that places of worship are meant for prayer and not sanctuaries to harbor individuals involved in illegal activities.
"Fugitives or criminals are not immune to the law simply because they enter a place of worship. This is not a matter of religious freedom. There is no right to openly violate the law and disobey law enforcement," he said.
In January, acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Benjamine Huffman, confirmed the repeal of Biden's guidelines on the enforcement of immigration law in "sensitive" areas, granting more authority to ICE officials to apprehend migrants with criminal records.
Criminals will no longer be able to hide in places like schools and churches, he said, referring to the areas where previously the actions of law enforcement were restricted.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Detentions in Places of Worship and Their Impact
Why did religious groups sue the Trump administration?
Religious groups sued the Trump administration over detentions carried out by ICE in churches, arguing that these actions are instilling fear and affecting religious freedom. The lawsuit claims that the detentions interfere with the ability of religious groups to minister to migrants, which infringes upon their freedom of worship.
What impact do ICE arrests have on the religious community?
ICE's arrests in places of worship have generated fear and reduced attendance at religious services. This affects the ability of religious communities to gather and practice their faith freely, in addition to limiting their mission to support immigrants and refugees who attend their congregations.
What is the Trump administration's stance on arrests in churches?
The Trump administration defends arrests in churches, arguing that places of worship should not be sanctuaries for individuals involved in illegal activities. According to Mat Staver from Liberty Counsel, these actions do not violate religious freedom, as fugitives are not exempt from the law simply by being in a place of worship.
What limitations does ICE face in the detention of immigrants?
ICE faces space limitations in its detention centers and legal restrictions that prevent indefinite detention. These limitations force the agency to release some immigrants under monitoring programs. Furthermore, the lack of adequate infrastructure and legal restrictions on prolonged detention complicate its ability to hold all those arrested.
What are the alternatives to detention offered by ICE?
ICE uses monitoring programs such as Alternatives to Detention (ATD) to track released immigrants as they proceed through their immigration process. This program includes the use of ankle monitors, electronic bracelets, and phone check-ins to ensure attendance at immigration hearings.
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