Churches Seek Contempt Over Undercover ICE Operation

The Department of Homeland Security rescinds the Obama-era policy that kept immigration enforcement out of "sensitive" locations such as churches and schools. DHS says at the time that "criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest."

Judge Theodore Chuang of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland rules for a coalition of Quaker groups, a Sikh temple and a Cooperative Baptist congregation, blocking the policy at their houses of worship while the case proceeds.

U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor IV, a Boston-based George W. Bush appointee, issues a separate order barring immigration enforcement activity in or near certain houses of worship.

An ICE agent joins what the filing describes as "boxing/sparring practice" at University Baptist Church in Minneapolis. A "concealed body-worn audio recorder" falls to the floor in the church gymnasium. The agent reported leaving the gym without immediately noticing the recorder was gone, then returning about three minutes later to collect it. Court records show the investigation also included surveilling the outside of the church and photographing vehicles in its parking lot.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upholds Chuang's block on the DHS policy.

The church coalition files its motion asking Saylor to begin the contempt process.