{"id":320,"date":"2026-04-01T23:35:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T04:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faithfulwitness.local\/resources\/rights-of-places-of-worship-with-the-revocation-of-sensitive-location-policy\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T20:50:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T01:50:33","slug":"rights-of-places-of-worship-with-the-revocation-of-sensitive-location-policy","status":"publish","type":"fw_resource","link":"https:\/\/faithfulwitness.us\/zh\/resources\/rights-of-places-of-worship-with-the-revocation-of-sensitive-location-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"\u8c41\u514d\u5730\u70b9\u653f\u7b56\u5e9f\u9664\u540e\u7684\u5b97\u6559\u573a\u6240\u6743\u5229"},"content":{"rendered":"

About This Resource<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Guidance for faith communities navigating immigration enforcement in the current legal landscape<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This document provides guidance to places of worship that offer refuge to undocumented individuals actively sought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have congregants who are undocumented, and\/or provide services to undocumented families. This guidance does not constitute legal advice. It is strongly recommended that places of worship consult with an attorney.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, the role of churches as places of refuge for individuals avoiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention has increased. Individuals facing deportation may seek protection in churches, believing that a church’s “sanctuary status” could shield them from immigration enforcement. Places of worship have also historically relied on an ICE policy that typically avoided conducting enforcement in “sensitive locations.” This longstanding policy did not officially designate places of worship as “sanctuary” and did not prohibit enforcement in urgent situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January 2025, the policy guidance that discouraged immigration arrests at sensitive locations \u2014 such as schools, places of worship, and health care facilities \u2014 was revoked. <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Limits of Offering Refuge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is important for church leaders to understand the legal limitations on preventing law enforcement from making arrests on their premises. A church may serve as a refuge in various situations \u2014 protecting victims of domestic violence, shielding minors from abusers, or offering warmth during cold weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A church is not, as a general rule, a place where suspected fugitives can successfully hide. The law does not prevent police \u2014 including immigration enforcement \u2014 from entering church grounds to arrest a criminal suspect, immigrant fugitive, or a person with a final order of deportation who has claimed religious sanctuary.\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Public Areas vs. Private Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, ICE agents and others may enter the public spaces of a church or place of worship without a warrant \u2014 but not private areas. If an agent wants to enter a private space, they must present a hard copy of a warrant signed by a federal judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n