Faith communities are reclaiming sacred space through the Constitution. In a groundbreaking lawsuit filed by several Yearly Meetings and interfaith partners against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal court has issued a preliminary injunction barring immigration enforcement at or near the houses of worship of the plaintiffs.
While the government has sought partial dismissal of certain claims under the Administrative Procedure Act, First Amendment protections remain firmly in place. The injunction recognizes that immigration enforcement actions interfering with worship may violate constitutional protections of religious freedom and assembly.
This case represents a first victory in a broader movement to restore long-standing norms protecting sensitive locations such as churches, schools, hospitals, and elder communities. It demonstrates how disciplined nonviolence and constitutional law can work together to defend migrants and uphold religious liberty.
