A federal judge has stepped in to protect religious sanctuaries, blocking immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations in churches, temples, and other places of worship.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang, comes after Quaker congregations, a Baptist church network in Georgia, and a Sikh temple in California challenged a new policy that allowed immigration agents to enter houses of worship without approval from a supervisor.
For decades, places of worship have been seen as safe havens, offering comfort to those in need, including immigrants seeking spiritual refuge.
But when the Trump administration removed protections that limited arrests in these spaces, many became too afraid to attend services.
“People are scared,” said Bradley Girard, an attorney for the plaintiffs. “They are staying away from their places of worship, and communities are suffering.”
Faith over fear
The lawsuit argues that the new rule violates religious freedom and disrupts the heart of faith communities.
For many, churches and temples are not just buildings—they are places of love, hope, and belonging.
The government, however, insists the change simply gives agents more flexibility, claiming that there is no proof religious groups are being unfairly targeted.
Despite this, many faith leaders are speaking out, saying the fear is real.
Congregations have noticed empty pews where families once sat, and a growing silence where songs and prayers once filled the air.
small victory, bigger fight ahead
For now, the judge’s decision only protects the groups involved in the lawsuit, but other religious organizations are pushing for broader protections.
More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups have filed a separate lawsuit, hoping to restore the sense of safety that faith communities provide.
This ruling is more than a legal win—it is a reminder that places of worship should always be spaces of peace, not fear.
For the families affected, it means they can once again walk into their churches and temples without looking over their shoulders, free to worship, pray, and find comfort in their faith.
