AUSTIN, Texas — Local faith leaders came together Thursday, to oppose an executive order that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to enter places of worship.
Since 2011, schools, hospitals and places of worship were among the spaces designated as “sensitive” areas, off-limits for ICE agents conducting arrests of people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
That directive changed in January, when an executive order signed by President Trump reversed the policy.
In a statement, a spokesperson for ICE said the directive “ends the broad abuse of humanitarian parole and returns the program to a case-by-case basis.”
The new policy has sparked backlash among faith leaders, who said it creates fear in the community.
“Allowing ICE into our meeting house during worship disrupts trust, instills fear and undermines our moral obligation to welcome and support all people,” said Howard Hawhee, with Friends Meeting of Austin.
Days after the policy was announced, a coalition of Quaker Meetings filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Sec. Kristi Noem. Another lawsuit on behalf of over two dozen religious organizations followed shortly after.
So far, a court ruling has halted ICE from entering certain places of worship, but faith leaders said it is not enough.
“People still have to live their lives; they have to work, provide for their families, and keep going. But there’s definitely fear involved,” said Melanie Walter-Mahoney, a member of the Austin Sanctuary Network.
Although faith leaders said ICE agents have not entered their places of worship, they worry about the possibility.
“We would do everything we could to protect anyone in our church,” said Rev. Katheryn Barlow-Williams of Central Presbyterian Church in Austin. “So we would do our best to keep ICE out, if it was at all possible.”
Congregations emphasized the importance of unity, and said they hope the ongoing lawsuits will help restore the sense of sanctuary in sacred spaces.
To further support their communities, Austin Sanctuary Network is hosting “Immigration 101” and “Know Your Rights” classes to educate people and provide resources.