For years, immigration enforcement in the United States has been conducted away from houses of worship and spiritual gatherings. As a result, people from all walks of life have enjoyed the religious freedom to commune with whomever they chose, and congregations have been free to welcome them.
On January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive that heralded its intention to change the existing immigration enforcement policy, therein eliminating restrictions on the locale of apprehension. In response, a coalition of five Quaker congregations from the Religious Society of Friends (Baltimore, Philadelphia & our own New England yearly meetings; Adelphi & Richmond monthly meetings) filed suit against the DHS in federal court.
The coalition argued that enforcement carried out in the manner proposed by DHS would infringe upon Friends’ constitutional right to religious freedom and would contravene protections assured in the Religious Restoration Act of 1993. Immigrants, fearful of being apprehended, would be less likely to participate in worship; in turn, Friends would be denied the opportunity to witness that of God in them – a belief and practice fundamental to Quakerism. Moreover, the potential for violence during enforcement in Quaker gatherings would directly violate Friends’ fundamental testimony of peace.
Friends Meeting at Cambridge unites with the spirit and substance of the suit filed by the Quaker coalition. We call upon our elected officials to reaffirm and protect the free practice of religion for all, a fundamental right enshrined in our country’s constitution.
FMC meeting for business in worship united with this recommendation on April 13, 2025
