February 11, 2025 — The UUA joined more than two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations suing to stop the Trump Administration’s new policy allowing immigration raids and arrests at houses of worship.

The lawsuit argues government raids on places of worship without a judicial warrant violate the rights granted by the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The complaint states,

“Plaintiffs and their members are Baptist, Brethren, Conservative Jewish, Episcopalian, Evangelical, Mennonite, Quaker, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reconstructionist Jewish, Reform Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, United Methodist, Zion Methodist, and more. They bring this suit unified on a fundamental belief: Every human being, regardless of birthplace, is a child of God worthy of dignity, care, and love. Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is thus a central precept of their faith practices.”

For years and during President Trump’s first term, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) restricted immigration enforcement in or near places of worship. The day Trump was inaugurated for his second term, on January 20, 2025, a DHS memo reversed the policy of respecting houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.

More information is available from this article published by UU World.

The UUA has published guidelines to help UU communities prepare for possible interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It answers the following questions:

• Can ICE agents enter our sanctuaries or worship spaces?
• Does ICE need a warrant to enter previously protected areas?
• What if ICE shows a judicial warrant to enter the private spaces of our Fellowship?
• How should a congregation plan for ICE interactions?

You can read the answers to these questions here. (Hat tip to Lorna for sharing this website.)