A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld a preliminary order limiting immigration-enforcement operations at eight places of worship associated with Quaker, Sikh and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship organizations.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that the government’s policy likely placed a substantial burden on the religious activities of the organizations involved, potentially violating the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The ruling is narrow. It protects only the eight plaintiff-affiliated worship sites and does not create a nationwide prohibition against immigration arrests at churches, gurdwaras, temples or other religious institutions. It also does not extend automatically to schools, hospitals or shelters.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that officers do not specifically target places of worship, although arrests may occur when officials believe public safety is at risk.
