US immigration authorities could face contempt proceedings after agents allegedly entered a Minneapolis church undercover and monitored worshippers despite a court order restricting enforcement activity at places of worship.
Federal judge F. Dennis Saylor IV has ordered the Trump administration to explain why it should not be held in contempt over surveillance carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at University Baptist Church.
Saylor issued an injunction in February restricting immigration enforcement at places of worship, having described the prospect of raids during church services as “profoundly troubling”.
Court documents subsequently revealed that federal agents monitored University Baptist Church on two Sundays in April, photographing people entering and leaving the building and checking vehicle registration details, according to The Independent.
An undercover ICE agent also entered the church's gymnasium in May while attending a class which authorities said was linked to a left-wing group. The agent reportedly used a concealed audio recorder while speaking to participants.
The surveillance formed part of a wider federal investigation known as “Operation Puppet Master”, which authorities said was targeting people suspected of supporting efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement.
Church representatives said they were alarmed to discover the extent of the surveillance.
“We have been shocked and upset to discover that DHS not only has been watching people coming and going from the church and not only has been doing so on Sundays, but has even entered the church building itself in order to make recordings and surveil people inside,” former church president Jean E. Lubke said in a sworn statement.
“This is a complete violation of our sacred space.”
Lawyers representing faith groups challenging the administration described the activities as “clear and egregious violations” of the injunction.
The Department of Homeland Security disputes that the operation breached the court order. It argues that the surveillance was not carried out for the purpose of enforcing immigration law and therefore did not fall within the restrictions imposed by the court.
Faith groups have rejected that interpretation, arguing that authorities cannot decide for themselves when a location protected by the injunction should cease to receive protection.
The legal dispute follows the Trump administration's decision to rescind previous restrictions on immigration enforcement in so-called sensitive locations, including churches, schools and hospitals.
Religious organisations representing thousands of worshippers subsequently launched legal challenges, arguing that the change threatened religious freedom and their ability to minister to immigrant communities.
When granting the injunction in February, Saylor warned of the potential consequences of allowing immigration officers broad discretion to operate inside churches.
“Indeed, according to the new policy, agents could conduct a raid, with weapons drawn, at any type of church proceeding — including a regular Sunday service, a wedding, a baptism, a christening, or a funeral — subject only to the exercise of their ‘discretion’ and ‘common sense,’” he said.
The government has been ordered to respond to the latest allegations by 28 August, with a hearing expected next month.
