A federal appeals court has sided with The Episcopal Church and 26 interfaith partners challenging ICE enforcement at churches. The D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 that religious organizations have standing to contest the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policy.
The ruling reverses an April 2025 district court decision that found the organizations had not demonstrated an imminent threat. The appeals court determined that congregations likely face harm because expanded enforcement discourages some worshippers from attending services.
The case now returns to district court for consideration of the religious groups’ legal arguments.
Trump Administration Removes Church Protections
The Episcopal Church and its interfaith partners filed their lawsuit in February 2025. They challenged the administration’s elimination of protections that previously limited immigration enforcement at houses of worship, schools and hospitals.
Since then, federal immigration operations have expanded across American cities, triggering protests and heightened anxiety among immigrant communities.
Although widespread ICE raids inside churches have not been reported, some congregations have experienced disruptions. Churches have also assisted immigrant families afraid to leave home for work, school or groceries.
One Minnesota Episcopal congregation appeared on a list of religious facilities where Homeland Security reportedly monitored activist meetings.
Religious Leaders Celebrate Court Decision
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris welcomed the October 20 ruling.
They described the decision as progress toward protecting religious freedom and defending vulnerable congregants.
The lawsuit includes 12 denominations, including Disciples of Christ, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian and AME Zion churches.
The coalition also includes regional denominational bodies and other religious associations.
Religious Freedom Claims Await Judicial Review
The plaintiffs argue that expanded ICE enforcement threatens religious participation and violates constitutional protections.
Their lawsuit invokes the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.
The appeals court agreed that increased enforcement creates a credible threat of harm, but it did not resolve the underlying legal dispute.
Religious leaders maintain that worship cannot flourish when congregants fear immigration enforcement. They argue that protecting immigrant worshippers is essential to respecting human dignity and religious freedom.
The lower court must now consider whether the administration’s immigration policy unlawfully interferes with those protections
Source: Appeals court sides with Episcopal Church, interfaith partners in immigration enforcement lawsuit
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