Quakers vs Trump: Religious group takes on president over decision to allow ICE to raid churches
Quakers vs Trump: Religious group takes on president over decision to allow ICE to raid churches
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The Trump administration repealed a 2011 policy barring ICE from arresting people in churches and schools. A collection of Quaker congregations have sued the Department of Homeland Security and its new leader, Kristi Noem, over President Donald Trump’s decision to allow ICE arrests in churches.
“Allowing armed government agents wearing ICE-emblazoned jackets to park outside a religious service and monitor who enters or to interrupt the service and drag a congregant out during the middle of worship is anathema to Quaker religious exercise,” the lawsuit filed Monday reads.
“The very threat of that enforcement deters congregants from attending services, especially members of immigrant communities,” the lawsuit continues. "A week ago today, President Trump swore an oath to defend the Constitution and yet today religious institutions that have existed since the 1600s in our country are having to go to court to challenge what is a violation of every individual’s Constitutional right to worship and associate freely," he said in a statement.
The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment. This isn’t the first time Trump’s administration has been sued over its immigration policies in the last week. Pregnant women and more than 20 states sued the administration last week after Trump issued an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship.
