4th Circuit Upholds Injunction Barring ICE Enforcement at Houses of Worship

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on August 18, 2026 to uphold a district court injunction barring Department of Homeland Security agents from conducting immigration enforcement 'at or near' more than 1,400 houses of worship across 33 states and Washington, D.C., while litigation continues. The case was brought by eight religious organizations — including six Quaker yearly meetings (Philadelphia, New York, New England, Richmond, Baltimore, and Adelphi, MD), the Sikh Temple Sacramento, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship — represented by Democracy Forward, after DHS rescinded the longstanding 'sensitive locations' policy in January 2025. Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, an Obama appointee, wrote for the majority that the government likely violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, citing evidence that the 2025 policy change was 'having a chilling effect on their congregations and already has caused declines in attendance.' A DHS spokesperson countered that 'criminals are no longer able to hide in places of worship to avoid arrest' and that 'the Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement.' Democracy Forward said the ruling 'preserved these protections while this case moves forward.'