Christian World | A divided US appeals court revived a lawsuit by 27 Christian and Jewish groups challenging the Trump administration's ICE enforcement at houses of worship

ACW | October 21, 2026 — The US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday, October 20, revived a lawsuit by 27 Christian and Jewish groups challenging immigration arrests at houses of worship, in a 2-1 ruling.

Writing for the majority, Judge Florence Pan said the groups "likely have standing" to challenge the policy, according to Courthouse News and The Christian Post. The court found that their members "likely face imminent harm from increased enforcement at their houses of worship."

The panel reversed a lower court's refusal to grant a preliminary injunction and sent the case back to District Judge Dabney Friedrich. In dissent, Judge Neomi Rao wrote that the plaintiffs "ultimately offer only speculation."

The plaintiffs include the Episcopal Church, Mennonite Church USA, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Methodist Church and the Union for Reform Judaism. They argue the policy violates the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris said in a joint statement: "In The Episcopal Church, we cannot truly be ourselves when some cannot freely worship with us." A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment, Bloomberg Law reported.

Background: The Department of Homeland Security rescinded its "sensitive locations" policy on January 20, 2025, ending a requirement for senior approval before enforcement at houses of worship, Courthouse News reported. The groups sued on February 11, 2025, and a district court denied their request in April 2025.

Why it matters: The case tests freedom of religion and belief inside houses of worship. According to Episcopal News Service, the plaintiffs say stepped-up immigration enforcement has kept some worshippers at home.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Courthouse News — DC Circuit sides with religious groups in fight to block ICE church raids; Episcopal News Service — Appeals court sides with Episcopal Church, interfaith partners; The Christian Post — Churches, synagogues win appeal; Bloomberg Law — Bid to block ICE arrests at churches revived

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress