Reconstructing Judaism, a Wyncote-based synagogue and rabbinical college, is one of 27 organizations which filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday, February 11 against President Donald Trump’s administration, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.
According to the story, each of the organizations represent Jewish and Christian denominations and are asking a judge to prevent immigration enforcement actions in houses of worship.
“As part of the administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded a directive that limited federal agents’ ability to conduct immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, schools, and hospitals,” The Inquirer said.
The complaint says that making houses of worship fair game for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids violates the religious rights of the suing denominations.
“An immigration enforcement action during worship services, ministry work, or other congregational activities would be devastating to their religious practice,” the complaint said. “It would shatter the consecrated space of sanctuary, thwart communal worship, and undermine the social service outreach that is central to religious expression and spiritual practice for Plaintiffs’ congregations and members.”
“They bring this suit unified on a fundamental belief: Every human being, regardless of birthplace, is a child of God worthy of dignity, care, and love,” the complaint said.
Tricia McLaughlin, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for public affairs, argued that allowing officers to enter sensitive locations protects Americans from threats, including gang members.
“These criminals knew law enforcement couldn’t go inside under the previous Administration,” McLaughlin said in a statement.
Reconstructing Judaism, located at 1299 Church Road in Cheltenham Township, is an umbrella organization for 94 Reconstructionist congregations.
The full complaint is below:
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