Judge Blocks Trump ICE Raids at Religious Sites

A federal judge in Maryland, Theodore Chuang, has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from conducting immigration enforcement operations at certain religious sites, such as those belonging to Quakers, Baptists, and Sikhs. The judge ruled that the policy allowing immigration raids at houses of worship could infringe on religious freedoms, violating both the First Amendment and a longstanding federal policy that designates these locations as 'sensitive areas'. This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by various religious groups who argued that the policy discouraged attendance at religious services due to fear of arrest. The injunction is temporary, applying only to the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit while it proceeds in federal court. The decision is seen as a setback to the Trump administration's efforts to intensify immigration enforcement. The plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy group focused on protecting democratic rights.