# Churches challenge Trump ICE raids

> Religious groups win court victory against Trump administration's church enforcement policy.
- Title: Churches challenge Trump ICE raids · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Religious groups win court victory against Trump administration's church enforcement policy. A federal appeals court allowed religious organizations to…
- Keywords: religious organizations, ice raids, trump administration, federal appeals court, immigration enforcement, houses of worship, religious freedom, dhs, religious freedom restoration act, first amendment, Churches, challenge
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/churches-strike-blow-to-trump-admin-in-fight-over-ice-raids-12599098
- Published: 2026-10-21T15:30:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: religious organizations, ice raids, trump administration, federal appeals court, immigration enforcement, houses of worship, religious freedom, dhs, religious freedom restoration act, first amendment
## Court allows religious challenge
A federal appeals court let religious groups pursue their challenge to Trump's decision to lift immigration enforcement protections at houses of worship.
## 2-1 ruling on religious groups
The court ruled 2-1 that religious organizations showed enough standing to challenge the policy change, sending the case back to a lower court.
## Key judges involved
U.S. Circuit Judges Florence Pan and Robert Wilkins wrote the majority opinion while Neomi Rao dissented.
## Policy change timeline
On January 20, 2025, Trump's administration rescinded federal guidance protecting houses of worship from immigration enforcement.
## Religious groups' claims
Twenty-seven Christian and Jewish organizations sued DHS, arguing enforcement at churches violates religious freedom and constitutional rights.
## Lower court denial
A district court denied the groups' request for a preliminary injunction, saying they didn't show an imminent threat of enforcement.
## Religious leaders' reactions
Kelsi Brown Corkran called the ruling a victory for millions of people of faith, and Rev. Carlos L. Malave praised the court's decision to protect sensitive locations.
## DHS response
DHS stated ice does not target churches, claiming the policy change is a false narrative to demonize ice officers.
## What happens next
The district court must now reconsider the religious groups' request for a preliminary injunction to protect churches from enforcement.
## Key takeaway

A federal appeals court allowed religious organizations to challenge Trump's decision to lift immigration enforcement protections at houses of worship.