Quaker Groups Sue Trump Admin Over Policy Allowing Immigration Raids in Places of Worship

The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, has taken legal action against the Trump administration over a policy change that permits immigration enforcement in places of worship. A coalition of Quaker groups filed a lawsuit on January 27 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s reversal of longstanding protections for such spaces. The policy, which allows immigration raids in “sensitive” locations, is claimed to violate constitutional rights to religious freedom and freedom of association.

The Quaker groups argue that the policy undermines core aspects of their faith, particularly communal worship. In their practice, worship is conducted in silence, allowing individuals to share divine messages freely. The presence of immigration enforcement near meetinghouses disrupts this environment and instills fear among immigrant attendees, leading some congregations to cancel worship services entirely. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, one of the plaintiffs, stated that the policy “invades our sacred space and ability to worship freely.”

The New England Yearly Meeting, founded in 1661 and the oldest formal Quaker association, added that “friends believe every human being has the right to come together to worship. This policy violates that right and our calling to welcome all.” The groups contend that the policy not only infringes on their religious practices but also conflicts with their commitment to hospitality and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

The Department of Homeland Security defended the policy, stating that it is essential to empowering law enforcement to apprehend “criminal aliens” and prioritize public safety. Through a statement, the agency emphasized its intent to uphold the rule of law while safeguarding communities. However, the Quaker lawsuit asserts that the policy imposes a substantial burden on their religious exercise, potentially violating the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Immigration attorney Michelle Marty, who has been reached for comment, described the lawsuit as “both legally significant and symbolically powerful.” She noted that it will be based on constitutional and statutory protections under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Marty suggested that if the Quakers can demonstrate that ICE’s actions impose a substantial burden on their religious practice, the government may face significant challenges in proving that enforcement in churches is the least restrictive means to achieve its goals.

The Quaker groups’ legal challenge reflects a broader concern over the impact of immigration enforcement on religious communities. Their case highlights the tension between national security priorities and the rights of religious institutions to operate without interference. As the lawsuit progresses, it may set important precedents for the intersection of religious freedom and immigration policy.

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