Legal cases in Minnesota are highlighting the ongoing impact of federal immigration enforcement on faith communities, more than six months after a significant surge in operations in the state.
One case involves a Minneapolis church seeking a reprimand against the government for alleged surveillance of protest-related activities on its property. In a separate case, over three dozen protesters are seeking dismissal of charges stemming from a disruption of a worship service at a St. Paul church. The pastor of that church also held a position with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Even congregations not directly involved in these legal proceedings report feeling the effects of the federal operations that occurred last winter. Protests against law enforcement were frequent, and the fatal shootings of two protesters drew international attention.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis has seen a decrease in visible immigration agents on its block. However, pastor the Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen stated that signs declaring “Everyone is welcome here! Except I.C.E.”, which were posted in January, remain. She emphasized the church's commitment to serving as a sanctuary and noted that her congregation provided whistles used by protesters to alert neighbors to law enforcement presence.
For decades, religious groups have been at the forefront of aiding immigrants and refugees through various means, from providing humanitarian aid at the U.S.-Mexico border to engaging in advocacy in Washington D.C. The Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement included granting agents more authority to make arrests at places of worship. This led to a rise in lawsuits filed by religious organizations challenging these policies.
Elizabeth Reiner Platt, director of the Law, Rights and Religion Project at Union Theological Seminary, noted a significant increase in litigation related to faith communities supporting migrants. She described several "promising" legal victories and indicated that ongoing court actions reflect widespread disapproval of the administration's enforcement strategies among religious individuals.
The legal arguments in both Minnesota cases center on the protection of sacred spaces and the right to worship without government intrusion or disruption from protests against immigration crackdowns.
In mid-August, court documents revealed that federal agents conducted an undercover surveillance operation targeting protest organizers in Minneapolis. The government stated the operation was to investigate a suspect for training individuals to commit acts of violence against federal officers, not for immigration enforcement purposes, a claim that has been challenged.
University Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where some protest meetings took place, is part of a lawsuit seeking to establish that Homeland Security violated a previous injunction against immigration enforcement at houses of worship. The church's interim pastor, the Rev. Cody J. Sanders, described the surveillance as "very upsetting" and a motivator for increased advocacy.
Kevin Friedl, an attorney with the Democracy Forward Foundation representing the faith groups, framed the case as a matter of sanctuary, arguing that the administration seeks to deny individuals a critical source of solace and comfort found in religious gatherings.
The case concerning the disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul also invokes arguments about protected spaces and worshippers' rights against intrusion. Over three dozen individuals faced federal civil rights charges after entering the church during a service to protest immigration enforcement policies. Motions filed in August to dismiss these charges contend that the prosecution is selective or vindictive and that the government's actions, including surveillance of churches, contradict claims of protecting religious practice.
Jordan Kushner, an attorney for some defendants, suggested the prosecutions aim to gather information on the broader protest movement. Doug Wardlow, representing Cities Church, countered that the event constituted an "invasion during worship" that significantly impacted the church community.
Faith leaders across the Twin Cities continue to address the aftermath of the immigration surge, including persistent fear among migrants, concerns about surveillance, and ongoing needs for financial assistance. Rev. Mariah Furness Tollgaard, senior pastor at Hamline Church in St. Paul, noted that congregants are questioning the extent of federal surveillance.
Several Protestant congregations that have been vocal in their opposition to immigration enforcement have enhanced their security measures. While many remain dedicated to their advocacy, the sustained efforts have led to a sense of weariness within religious communities, according to Nicholas Tangen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Minneapolis Area Synod.