27 religious groups sue administration over immigration enforcement policy
More than two dozen religious groups are suing the federal government in response to the Trump administration’s policy giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at “sensitive locations,” including houses of worship.
In the lawsuit, the religious groups — including the Mennonite Church, the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Unitarian Universalist Association — said the change to the sensitive locations policy infringes on their religious freedom. They say their congregations have seen decreased attendance due to fear, and several say they face an “imminent risk” of immigration enforcement actions.
The first paragraph of the suit states, “They bring this suit unified on a fundamental belief: Every human being, regardless of birthplace, is a child of God worthy of dignity, care, and love. Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is thus a central precept of their faith practices.”
In a press release, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Sean Rowe said, “In God’s kingdom, immigrants and refugees are not at the edges, fearful and alone. We believe their struggles reveal the heart of God, and we cannot worship freely if some among us live in fear.”
Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director, Massachusetts Council of Churches added, “Churches are, and have always been, places of prayer, solace, and safety since the time of Jesus Christ; this does not change with any new emperor, king, or president.”
The groups are seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting immigration enforcement activities at houses of worship or during religious ceremonies, except with a judicial warrant or under certain pressing circumstances.
The suit filed Tuesday is the second from a religious group to challenge the Trump administration’s lifting of the sensitive locations policy. In January, several Quaker groups in Maryland sued to keep ICE agents out of their meeting houses.
The administration has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Senate confirms Trump lawyer Emil Bove for appeals court
The Senate confirmed former Trump lawyer Emil Bove as a federal appeals court judge as Republicans dismissed whistleblower complaints about his conduct at the Justice Department.
UCLA reaches $6 million settlement with Jewish students over campus protests
The settlement comes after Jewish students and a professor argued their civil rights were violated when pro-Palestinian protesters blocked access to campus buildings during 2024 demonstrations.
8.8-magnitude earthquake sets off tsunami warnings in Japan, Alaska and Hawaii
One of the world's strongest earthquakes struck Russia's Far East Wednesday, causing a tsunami in the northern Pacific region and setting off warnings for Alaska, Hawaii and south toward New Zealand.
Senators introduce resolution supporting prevention task force RFK Jr. may disband
The task force makes recommendations for medical screenings that doctors' groups rely on and that guide what preventive services most insurance covers without copay.
The Manhattan gunman believed he had CTE. What does that mean?
The gunman accused of killing four people in New York City suspected he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE — a degenerative brain disease often associated with football players.
In a first, the Senate confirms a new CDC director
Susan Monarez is the first director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to require Senate confirmation. She's also the first director without a medical degree in more than 70 years.
