Milwaukee Lutheran church sues over Trump directive on ICE raids at houses of worship

A Milwaukee Lutheran church has joined a national lawsuit against the Trump administration’s directive to allow immigration raids at houses of worship.

In late January, Trump ended a Biden-era policy that prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in or near sensitive areas, including houses of worship. Multiple lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security soon followed, including one filed July 25 by the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It alleges the directive violates churchgoers’ First Amendment rights. 

The Greater Milwaukee Synod is made up of 115 congregations. Five of the ministries offer Spanish worship services.

The Rev. Paul Erickson of the Milwaukee synod said the Trump administration’s directive caused “significant harm” because of increased ICE activity and “fear that ICE could enter worship spaces.” This prompted the synod to join the lawsuit. 

“It’s simply had a chilling impact on the ability of our congregations to do the ministry that they’ve been called to do,” Erickson said. 

Church services are not the only activities affected by potential ICE operations. Erickson said food pantry attendance has plummeted because many are afraid to stand outside the churches for prolonged periods. The synod has even made baptisms, typically part of regular church services, into private events.

In the original statement announcing the directive, a DHS spokesperson said it was necessary to end the “invasion of the US southern border” and “empower law enforcement to protect Americans.”

The U.S. Department of Justice declined WPR’s request for comment on the lawsuit. 

The lawsuit alleges that soon after the directives passed, ICE operations across the country began in and around places of worship. In June, five agents in plain clothes and bullet-proof vests with police badges detained a Spanish-speaking man at a Los Angeles church parking lot. The pastor of the church said one of the agents pointed a rifle at her when she attempted to approach their vehicle. 

The directive not only allows ICE to operate at churches but also other “sensitive areas” such as schools, hospitals and courthouses. 

“There are lots of ways in which — while we recognize that ICE needs to do their job — there need to be some places where that cannot happen,” Erickson said.

In April, police arrested a Milwaukee County judge accused of helping a man evade ICE agents. She now faces federal criminal charges.

Multiple faith-based groups across the country including Quaker and Baptist congregations are also plaintiffs in the suit.  Erickson believes it is essential that churches protect their congregants.

“We find that it’s simply important to stand up and to stand together, especially for those folks who are feeling threatened and vulnerable,” he said. “And if the church doesn’t stand up for those who are feeling threatened and vulnerable, then I’m not sure why we have churches.”