February 11, 2025 - The URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) and CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) have proudly joined more than two dozen national faith denominations and associations as plaintiffs in a major federal lawsuit defending religious freedom. The suit challenges the rescission of a longstanding “sensitive locations” policy that strictly limited ICE from immigration enforcement actions in houses of worship.
The lawsuit is rooted in our commitment to defending our right and ability to fulfill without government interference the holy and prophetic tenets of our faith, including worship, community building, education, programming and more. We welcome people into our buildings without regard to their status in this country. The sensitive locations policy ensures that all these things happen freely and without the intrusion of ICE. This lawsuit will ensure our ability to choose to continue that holy work, free from government interference. For us, this is a matter of principle. The United States’ dedication to religious freedom, established in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is a unique and central blessing of our democracy. It has allowed Jewish life, and all religious life, to flourish in this country over the centuries. Without these protections in place, Americans of all faiths will be at risk.
The lawsuit is led by a team from the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP), a non-profit, public interest litigation firm housed at Georgetown University Law Center. The suit is premised on protections established by the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which affirmed that any action taken by the government that imposes on religious freedom must do so through the least restrictive means. In this case, we have joined with a host of national faith denominations who share our belief that the Department of Homeland Security’s lifting of the sensitive locations policy fails to meet RFRA’s standards and will have significant and harmful impacts on our religious freedom.
The lawsuit imposes no obligations on any individual Reform congregation, clergy, or congregant. As always, every synagogue, rabbi, and congregant is free to decide their own policies and practices, as well as make their own determination on the services they provide or do not provide.
Given the increase in ICE activity, we suggest every congregation engage in thoughtful, advance planning in consultation with their congregation’s legal advisors and local immigration law experts who can best guide them on their circumstances and local/state laws when it comes to immigration issues that may impact the synagogue’s members, program participants, and overall activities.
For more information about the URJ and CCAR’s commitment to immigration justice, rooted in the biblical directive to welcome the stranger, or immigrant, mentioned 36 times in the Torah, visit the RAC website.
Read a press release on this lawsuit and read the frequently asked questions.
| Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him) President, URJ | Rabbi Hara Person (she/her) CEO, Central Conference of American Rabbis |
| Shelley Niceley Groff (she/her) North American Board Chair, URJ | Rabbi Erica Asch (she/her) President, Central Conference of American Rabbis |
