A federal judge in Maryland has issued an injunction against immigration enforcement in houses of worship, marking a significant legal victory for religious groups challenging the Trump administration’s revised deportation policy.The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang, temporarily halts immigration operations targeting Quaker congregations, Baptist churches, and a Sikh temple, following a lawsuit that argues the policy change violates religious freedom.
 

Faith-based organizations have long served as safe havens for immigrants, but the new directive by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allows immigration agents to conduct enforcement actions in religious spaces without prior approval from supervisors. The lawsuit claims this reverses decades of precedent and creates widespread fear among immigrant communities.
 

Religious Groups Push Back Against Immigration Raids

The lawsuit was filed by:

• Five Quaker congregations in Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
• A network of Baptist churches in Georgia
• A Sikh temple in California

These groups argue that the policy reversal threatens religious protections and deters immigrants from attending services out of fear of arrest.

"People are afraid to attend religious services due to this policy," said Bradley Girard, an attorney for the plaintiffs. "This fear is being felt across the country, and congregations are seeing attendance drop as a result."

Previously, DHS had designated religious spaces as “sensitive locations”, restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in churches, schools, and hospitals. However, the new policy removes these protections, allowing field agents to conduct operations at their discretion.The Trump administration introduced the changes as part of its broader deportation crackdown, arguing that limiting enforcement areas hampers border security efforts.
 

Legal Battle Over Religious Freedom and Immigration Enforcement

This Maryland case is not the only legal challenge to Trump’s immigration policies.

• More than two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations have filed a similar lawsuit in Washington, D.C., arguing that the new DHS directive undermines religious liberties.
• The Democracy Forward Foundation, representing the Maryland plaintiffs, is seeking a nationwide injunction to prevent DHS from conducting enforcement actions in houses of worship.

"DHS’s new policy gives it the authority to enter any house of worship across the country, no matter its religious beliefs," attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote in court filings.

Government attorneys have defended the policy, stating that immigration enforcement has always been allowed in religious spaces and that the only change is that field agents no longer need supervisor approval.

Justice Department attorney Kristina Wolfe, representing the DHS, argued that plaintiffs have not provided evidence that their religious institutions were specifically targeted.

"Plaintiffs have provided no evidence indicating that any of their religious organizations have been targeted," Wolfe told the court, urging the judge not to interfere with law enforcement activities.
 

What’s Next for Immigration Enforcement and Religious Rights?

As the legal battle over immigration enforcement in houses of worship continues, religious groups remain concerned that the policy will drive immigrants away from faith-based communities.

Meanwhile, Trump’s administration continues its push for stricter immigration laws, with a focus on expanding deportation operations and increasing ICE activities in urban areas.

The Maryland ruling offers temporary protection to the affected congregations, but future court decisions could determine whether religious spaces will remain safe havens for immigrants nationwide.