Washington — A federal judge in Maryland issued a ruling on Monday that prohibits the Trump administration from executing immigration enforcement actions at designated places of worship for Quakers, Cooperative Baptists, and Sikhs, who had filed a lawsuit contesting President Trump’s reversal of a Biden-era directive that prevented such actions at specific protected sites.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang responded to a request for a limited preliminary injunction from the religious groups as they continue their legal challenge against Mr. Trump’s order that permits federal immigration officials to perform enforcement actions at places of worship. Chuang’s ruling is not applicable nationwide; it specifically pertains to the houses of worship utilized or owned by the Quakers, Cooperative Baptists, and Sikhs involved in the case.
The plaintiffs contended that the updated policy permitting immigration arrests at locations previously deemed protected infringes upon their First Amendment rights and imposes undue constraints on the free exercise of religion as per federal law.
Judge Chuang noted that the potential for enforcement actions at the houses of worship frequented by these three religious communities has led to a decrease in attendance, affecting not only undocumented immigrants but also those with legal status who fear being mistaken for unauthorized individuals.
“Where plaintiffs’ communal religious practices are significantly impacted by reduced attendance resulting from immigration enforcement actions under the 2025 policy, the presence of armed law enforcement officers at places of worship can hinder the ability of Quakers and Sikhs to adhere to their religious beliefs or worship freely,” Chuang articulated in a detailed 59-page opinion.
The judge mandated the Trump administration to restore a 2021 memorandum from former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which prohibited the department and its subdivisions from undertaking enforcement actions in specific locations that necessitate enhanced protection, including schools, medical facilities, and places of worship. This memorandum stated that immigration enforcement actions should be avoided at houses of worship “to the fullest extent possible.”
However, Chuang’s ruling does not restrict the Trump administration from making arrests in or around places of worship when such actions are sanctioned by a warrant.
Mr. Trump’s directive revoking the Biden administration’s memo was enacted on his first day in office as part of a series of executive actions intended to intensify immigration enforcement. The Trump administration replaced the previous directive with one asserting that “it is not necessary” to “create bright line rules regarding where our immigration laws are permitted to be enforced.”
A statement from the Department of Homeland Security further emphasized that “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to evade arrest. The Trump administration will not hinder our courageous law enforcement officers and instead relies on their judgment.”
