Religious Groups Seek DHS Contempt Over 1 ICE Church Operation in Minnesota
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 20
Religious Groups Seek DHS Contempt Over 1 ICE Church Operation in Minnesota
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 20
Summary
A contempt motion filed Thursday asks U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor IV to sanction DHS officials over an undercover ICE operation at a Minneapolis church that religious groups say breached his February order.
Court records say an ICE agent joined a May martial-arts session at University Baptist Church, dropped a concealed body-worn audio recorder in the gym, then returned about three minutes later to retrieve it.
The filing also alleges agents surveilled the church exterior and photographed cars in the parking lot, while government lawyers argue Saylor's order barred immigration enforcement at churches but not criminal investigations.
The dispute grew out of a federal case accusing more than a dozen people of conspiring to impede or injure officers after anti-ICE protests, sharpening conflict between Trump's deportation push, religious institutions and the courts.
A parallel challenge has gained traction elsewhere: the 4th Circuit on Tuesday upheld a Maryland ruling that ICE enforcement threats at houses of worship chilled religious freedom.