More Denominations File Suit Against ICE Church Raids

Last week I told you that the Quakers have filed suit to enjoin ICE’s stated intention of kicking down church doors to get at migrants who might be taking shelter, getting fed, or worshipping inside.  This week, two more denominations – Baptists from Georgia, and Sikhs from California – joined in after raids or stakeouts of their places of worship.  Here is how the two denominations described their ICE experiences in the complaint:

90. These fears are coming to fruition. On January 26, the first Sunday following implementation of the 2025 Policy, ICE agents attempted to enter Fuente de Vida Church in Tucker, Georgia, while its pastor was actively preaching to approximately 70 congregants. Fear of DHS’s new policy had led the church to lock its doors, so the agents waited outside until the congregant they sought—a father of two—exited the church. Id.

. . .

107. Fully and meaningfully practicing the Sikh faith requires joining with the community in service and prayer.

108. Because subjecting Gurdwaras to government surveillance and raids by armed agents deters attendance, the threat of that activity impedes Sikhs’ ability to carry out essential religious practices.

109. At Sikh Temple Sacramento, approximately half of the congregation are first-generation immigrants.

110.  After DHS announced the 2025 Policy, Sikh Temple Sacramento saw an “immediate chilling effect on worship and fellowship.”

111.  The Gurdwara’s management committee has already heard from people who are “concerned that participation in Sikh religious life at the Gurdwara may put them at risk.” While some of these people lack legal immigration status, “even people with legal immigration status are unsure whether it is safe to attend.” Even putting aside immigration status, the 2025 Policy reduces Gurdwara attendance and interferes with Sikh religious practices by renewing that community’s collective concern, based on its history of having the sanctity of Gurdwaras violated, of “government interference in [their] ability to freely practice [their] faith.” 

112. Deterring community members from attending the Gurdwara “harms not just those who are too fearful to attend but also everyone else,” as communal worship and fellowship is central to Sikh practice. Sikhs’ ability to practice their faith freely and without fear will be impaired “as long as DHS’s new policy is in effect.”

In Orlando yesterday, about 10 commandos raided a neighborhood and took a father away from in front of his wife and three kids. He had no criminal record.  And, as required, he had been checking in daily with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement daily for more than a year. ICE and the local constables deployed a quick reaction force anyway.  Highly publicized ICE raids are obviously intended to increase the level of fear.  

The Brownshirts could not have done it better.    

darryll k. jones