Quakers file suit to block ICE raids at churches following Sunday arrest at Georgia congregation

Quakers in Georgia have filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking to halt immigration raids at houses of worship. The action follows an incident on Sunday when immigration agents arrested a man at a church in Dekalb County, Georgia, marking a shift in policy under the current administration.

The new policy by the Trump administration overturns previous federal guidelines that protected places of worship and schools from immigration enforcement. This change aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the arrest at Iglesia Fuente de Vida, a church where the family had been attending for two years.

Wilson Velásquez, his wife, and three children had arrived in the Atlanta area in 2022 after crossing the border illegally. They had sought asylum and were released to pursue their case within the United States. The family fled Honduras due to threats from gangs. They had relatives in the area and maintained regular check-ins with local immigration authorities.

Wilson Velásquez obtained a work permit last year, a benefit available to asylum seekers after six months of filing their application. He worked at a tire shop, believing he was doing so legally, and was providing for his family. However, the current administration has rolled back protections previously established by the Biden administration, leading to the arrest of individuals like Velásquez who were thought to have proper documentation.

On Sunday, during a church service, Wilson Velásquez’s ankle monitor began beeping. He left the sanctuary to find immigration agents waiting. His wife, Kenia Velásquez, ran outside to assist, but her husband was already in handcuffs. She watched as he was taken away from the church.

A federal official told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the arrest was part of “enhanced targeted operations” aimed at enforcing immigration law and ensuring public safety. The lawsuit challenges this policy, arguing that it violates the rights of individuals and disrupts religious gatherings.

Source: Read the original report