{"id":2646557,"date":"2026-08-18T14:16:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T18:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-upholds-limits-on-warrantless-ice-arrests-at-churches\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T14:21:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T18:21:26","slug":"appeals-court-upholds-limits-on-warrantless-ice-arrests-at-churches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-upholds-limits-on-warrantless-ice-arrests-at-churches\/","title":{"rendered":"Appeals court upholds limits on warrantless ICE arrests at churches"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fappeals-court-upholds-limits-on-warrantless-ice-arrests-at-churches%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646557&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal appeals court upheld restrictions on warrantless ICE arrests at houses of worship, ruling that the Trump administration\u2019s policy likely violated federal religious freedom laws. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed a preliminary injunction issued by a Maryland judge,requiring the Department of Homeland Security to adhere to Biden-era safeguards when ICE officers operate near churches. The court found that the policy change, which allowed more discretion for immigration enforcement at religious sites, contributed to decreased worship attendance and participation, causing irreparable harm. The decision emphasized that DHS failed to demonstrate the policy served a compelling government interest in a manner less restrictive of religious exercise, as required by law. The ruling applies specifically to the plaintiffs involved, including religious and advocacy groups, and notes that certain enforcement actions remain permissible. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alito-rules-spirit-of-aloha-does-not-override-second-amendment-in-gun-case\/\" title=\"Alito rules &#039;spirit of aloha&#039; does not override Second Amendment in gun case\">case highlights ongoing legal debates<\/a> over immigration enforcement and religious protections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld limits on warrantless U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> arrests at churches affiliated with a coalition of religious groups, ruling that the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a>\u2019s policy likely violated a federal religious freedom law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a February preliminary injunction issued last year by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, an appointee of former President Barack Obama in Maryland. Chuang had required the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\/\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a> to follow Biden-era safeguards when ICE officers were working at or near houses of worship, and the appeals court\u2019s ruling is narrowly tailored to apply only to plaintiffs in the ongoing litigation.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4691091\/appeals-court-upholds-limits-warrantless-ice-arrests-churches\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court upholds limits on warrantless ICE arrests at churches<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4689892\/appeals-court-doj-trump-decision-refugee-status-rwandan-immigrants\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court grills DOJ over Trump\u2019s decision to end refugee status for Rwandan immigrants<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4690689\/trump-doj-obama-judge-abrego-garcia-case\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump DOJ accuses Obama judge of \u2018Monday-morning quarterbacking\u2019 in bid to revive Abrego Garcia case<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">Roosevelt Toussaint, the senior pastor of the Word of Life Center church, points to empty parking spaces outside his church before a service, which he says is due to fear in the Haitian community of possible arrests and deportation in Salisbury, Md., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Luis Andres Henao)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26216637513861.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Roosevelt Toussaint, the senior pastor of the Word of Life Center church, points to empty parking spaces outside his church before a service, which he says is due to fear in the Haitian community of possible arrests and deportation in Salisbury, Md., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Luis Andres Henao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe present record is replete with evidence that the 2025 Policy has caused a reduction in attendance at the plaintiffs\u2019 houses of worship,\u201d Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, an Obama appointee, wrote in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.ca4.178642\/gov.uscourts.ca4.178642.76.0.pdf\">40-page decision<\/a> for the unanimous three-judge panel. \u201cSuch a burden, even if limited in time, constitutes irreparable injury.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The policy, announced at the start of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">President Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> second term, scrapped a directive that generally discouraged <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/immigration\/\">immigration enforcement<\/a> at \u201cprotected areas,\u201d including churches, and ordinarily required agency approval before operations at or near those sites.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the revised policy, immigration officers were directed to use their discretion and \u201ccommon sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 4th Circuit said the plaintiffs, including Quaker organizations, Sikh Temple Sacramento, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, offered evidence that the change was suppressing worship attendance and participation in immigrant-focused ministries. One Baptist congregation reported a 66% decline in attendance at its English-as-a-second-language classes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result differs from a separate challenge to the same DHS policy in Washington, D.C. In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich denied a preliminary injunction sought by 27 Christian and Jewish organizations, finding they had not established standing. Friedrich, an appointee from Trump\u2019s first term, concluded the evidence at that stage did not show houses of worship were \u201cbeing singled out as special targets\u201d and said congregants appeared to be staying home because of broader ICE activity in their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 4th Circuit, by contrast, found that the plaintiffs in the Maryland case had specifically tied their attendance losses to the church-enforcement policy and DHS\u2019s stated plan to allow action at houses of worship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the government must show a policy that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >substantially burdens religious exercise serves<\/a> a compelling interest through the least restrictive means. The panel said DHS waived that defense by failing to present the argument or supporting evidence to Chuang.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judge G. Steven Agee, one of the three judges on the unanimous 4th Circuit panel, called DHS\u2019s omission an \u201cinexplicable failure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn short, DHS abdicated its burden of proof at a crucial juncture of the merits analysis,\u201d Agee wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4689892\/appeals-court-doj-trump-decision-refugee-status-rwandan-immigrants\/\">APPEALS COURT GRILLS DOJ OVER TRUMP\u2019S DECISION TO END REFUGEE STATUS FOR RWANDAN IMMIGRANTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Agee, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, stressed that the injunction applies only to the plaintiffs\u2019 identified places of worship. Arrests supported by administrative or judicial warrants and certain emergency actions remain permissible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>contacted representatives from DHS and the Justice Department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Appeals court upholds limits on warrantless ICE arrests at churches<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2646558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26216637535487.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32324,8364,3813,54375],"class_list":["post-2646557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-appeals-court","tag-ice","tag-immigration","tag-warrantless-arrests"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26216637535487.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646557"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646561,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646557\/revisions\/2646561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}