The government attorney stated that denials for access to ICE facilities were due to personnel shortages.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees access to Ash Wednesday services after religious groups brought a lawsuit after being denied access to the Broadview, Illinois, facility.
“The court finds that the government has substantially burdened plaintiffs’ exercise of religion,” Judge Gettleman wrote. “Broadview allowed plaintiffs’ religious visitation to Broadview for years before reversing course relatively recently. With reasonable notice and communication, addressing legitimate security and safety concerns, allowing plaintiffs to provide pastoral care to migrants and detainees does not pose any undue hardship on the government.”
The U.S. attorney had argued that religious groups were not targeted in the recent denial of access, but that it was “a neutral and temporary suspension of all visitors” because of a lack of personnel.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For federal judges as they hear and rule on cases regarding religious rights and freedoms.
- For officials in DHS and ICE as they comply with court orders regarding Ash Wednesday accommodations.
Sources: Clarion Ledger, MSN, The Hill
