Temporary ban on arresting illegal immigrants at mosques, temples, and churches

A federal judge in Maryland has ordered a temporary ban on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents from entering sensitive buildings such as mosques, temples, and churches. President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants has given law enforcement agencies, including ICE, unsanctioned access to schools, hospitals, and religious institutions without permission. However, an organization representing the states of Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, California, and Virginia filed a lawsuit in federal court in Maryland, calling the order a violation of religious freedom in the United States.

They filed a petition to ban Ice's access to mosques, temples, and churches across America, but Judge Theodore Chang did not grant it. However, the temporary restraining order issued on February 24th stated that it would only be effective for the states mentioned.

A separate petition filed in federal court in Seattle, Washington state, by more than two dozen organizations representing Christian and Jewish communities, seeking a stay on ICE's raids on religious institutions across the United States, has yet to be heard.

In addition, as part of the ongoing process of arresting and deporting those who are serious criminals among those living illegally, as per the election promise, on January 27, the Department of Homeland Security issued an additional order granting ICE access to schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This has created outrage. Because for many years, law enforcement agencies have never had access to secure and sensitive areas like religious, educational, and hospital facilities. If arrests/searches were needed in special circumstances, supervisors had to obtain permission from those facilities' supervisors. But Trump's latest order has overturned everything.

The petition argues that since the crackdown on illegal immigrants, many people have stopped coming to places of worship, and attendance at educational institutions has also dropped alarmingly. Hospitals have also seen a decline in patient arrivals. However, no one has yet gone to court regarding schools and hospitals.