A U.S. federal judge has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow religious ministers access to detainees at a Minneapolis detention facility, a ruling seen as a victory for faith groups advocating for constitutional and pastoral rights.
On March 20, U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Department of Homeland Security to create a formal protocol permitting clergy from Protestant and Catholic traditions to minister to detainees at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. The lawsuit was filed by Minnesota branches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ, and a Jesuit priest, who said ministers had been denied consistent access.
Judge Blackwell stressed that the government cannot impose blanket restrictions barring clergy visits and directed both sides to develop a policy balancing detainee access with security considerations.
Supporters praised the decision for upholding religious freedom and the dignity of those in detention, highlighting the importance of spiritual support during confinement. While government lawyers said access had improved since previous enforcement surges, the court noted no formal policy existed to guarantee clergy entry.
The ruling underscores continuing debates in the United States over detainee rights and the role of faith communities in providing care within immigration settings.