The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and others who filed suit to block the Trump administration from sending ICE agents into houses of worship won a temporary restraining order Feb. 24.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang issued an order blocking the administration’s policy. For now, the order only applies to CBF-affiliated churches, congregations affiliated with six Quaker groups that originated the suit and the Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento. The coalition of Baptists, Quakers and Sikhs are represented by Democracy Forward.
Their suit contends the Trump administration policy violates religious freedom and expression rights.
In a separate suit, Fellowship Southwest and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas are among 27 religious bodies suing the Trump administration to stop ICE agents from having access to houses of worship for immigration raids. No ruling has made yet on that case, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The suit brought by CBF, the Quakers and Sikhs was filed in in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
A Trump administration lawyer had argued in the preliminary hearing that these religious groups had no standing to file suit against Trump’s executive order because none of them had experienced ICE raids. The groups counter that the mere potential of an invasion of their sacred spaces already has created a chilling effect on people attending worship.
Paul Baxley
“Today’s ruling is a powerful affirmation of the values that have defined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship — a steadfast commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy, and the clear separation of church and state,” said Paul Baxley, CBF executive coordinator. “For decades, our congregations have faithfully engaged in ministry among immigrants and refugees, offering a bold and courageous witness to the remarkable and relentless love of Christ. This decision affirms our effort to restore the sensitive location protections that have allowed our congregations to worship and minister freely.”
Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, echoed that sentiment.
“For decades, the government has recognized that everyone — no matter their immigration status — should be able to attend houses of worship without fear of a warrantless government raid,” she said. “Religious institutions should not have to go to court to fight for the right to worship and associate freely that is enshrined in our Constitution. Our plaintiffs represent a unique and diverse coalition of religious groups that have been at the forefront in protecting values of religious liberty for centuries.”
This is one of many legal challenges to Trump executive orders that has met initial success in court. Democracy Forward also recently won a temporary stay against Trump’s ban on DEI programs.
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