Trump move allows immigration agents to enter houses of worship and other 'sensitive' locations
A sign that prohibits the entrance of ICE or Homeland Security is posted on a door at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Manhattan on Tuesday. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
Some faith leaders and advocates on Wednesday sharply criticized President Donald Trump's move to allow immigration agents to enter houses of worship and other "sensitive" locations to arrest people in the country illegally.
The action, which also affects schools and hospitals, overturned years of U.S. policy. Trump signed the executive order Monday shortly after his inauguration, framing it as part of his plan to conduct what he calls the largest mass deportation of immigrants in the country illegally in U.S. history.
Some critics called the order an affront to the centuries-old religious concept of "sanctuary" in houses of worship.
"Interfering with people’s right to worship freely is outrageous even under the Trump administration’s claim that it is being done to enforce immigration laws," said Patrick Young, special professor of immigration law at Hofstra University Law School and a former head of legal services at the Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead.
"Rights of religious freedom go back to the foundation of our country," he added. "This move will reduce immigrants’ participation in their churches and synagogues and intimidate their ministers."
The Rev. Kate Jones Calone, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Long Island, which represents Presbyterian churches, said, "I expect that the American people will be horrified if federal agents start raiding churches, as well as schools, hospitals, and other places where people go to experience care."
Trump has said his efforts are aimed at cleaning up an illegal immigration problem that is out of control and saw record numbers of people illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border under the Biden administration. In campaign speeches and during his first term, he blamed immigrants in the country illegally for a rise in violent crime and called them burdens on taxpayers, straining local schools, hospitals, and government services.
His new executive orders included declaring a national emergency at the southern border and reinstating a policy that migrants must "remain in Mexico" while applying for asylum.
In his order, Trump said that these immigrants "present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans. Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities."
"Many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels," the order said.
The U.S. is home to an estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally, including many who work in restaurants, factories, landscaping and other manual labor jobs. Long Island is home to at least 100,000 such immigrants, according to advocates.
Newsday reported last week that faith leaders across Long Island were bracing for the possibility of Trump lifting the prohibition against immigration agents raiding houses of worship. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's policy road map for Trump’s second term, called for rescinding the guidance on "sensitive places."
Trump distanced himself from the 900-page plan during the campaign, but he has nominated many who worked on it for his new administration, including Tom Homan for "border czar."
The "sensitive zones" policy is not a law, so Trump can change it with an executive order, Young said.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre, the largest religious institution on Long Island, with 1.3 million baptized Catholics, said last week it "hopes that the sanctity of churches as places where all peoples feel safe to come and be fed in their spiritual and physical needs will continue to be respected."
As of Wednesday, no major raids had been reported.
Even some Long Islanders who back Trump’s mass deportation program said they had concerns about allowing immigration agents into houses of worship and said ICE should enter them only if they were in pursuit of a criminal.
"Let people pray to God'" at houses of worship, said Barrett Psareas, vice president of the Nassau County Civic Association.
Some faith leaders and advocates on Wednesday sharply criticized President Donald Trump's move to allow immigration agents to enter houses of worship and other "sensitive" locations to arrest people in the country illegally.
The action, which also affects schools and hospitals, overturned years of U.S. policy. Trump signed the executive order Monday shortly after his inauguration, framing it as part of his plan to conduct what he calls the largest mass deportation of immigrants in the country illegally in U.S. history.
Some critics called the order an affront to the centuries-old religious concept of "sanctuary" in houses of worship.
"Interfering with people’s right to worship freely is outrageous even under the Trump administration’s claim that it is being done to enforce immigration laws," said Patrick Young, special professor of immigration law at Hofstra University Law School and a former head of legal services at the Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- Some faith leaders and advocates criticized President Donald Trump's move to allow immigration agents to enter houses of worship and other "sensitive" locations to arrest people in the country illegally.
- The move overturns years of U.S. policy and was made through an executive order signed by Trump on Monday.
- Critics called the order an affront to the centuries-old religious concept of "sanctuary" in houses of worship.
"Rights of religious freedom go back to the foundation of our country," he added. "This move will reduce immigrants’ participation in their churches and synagogues and intimidate their ministers."
The Rev. Kate Jones Calone, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Long Island, which represents Presbyterian churches, said, "I expect that the American people will be horrified if federal agents start raiding churches, as well as schools, hospitals, and other places where people go to experience care."
Trump has said his efforts are aimed at cleaning up an illegal immigration problem that is out of control and saw record numbers of people illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border under the Biden administration. In campaign speeches and during his first term, he blamed immigrants in the country illegally for a rise in violent crime and called them burdens on taxpayers, straining local schools, hospitals, and government services.
His new executive orders included declaring a national emergency at the southern border and reinstating a policy that migrants must "remain in Mexico" while applying for asylum.
In his order, Trump said that these immigrants "present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans. Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities."
"Many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels," the order said.
11 million lack legal status
The U.S. is home to an estimated 11 million immigrants in the country illegally, including many who work in restaurants, factories, landscaping and other manual labor jobs. Long Island is home to at least 100,000 such immigrants, according to advocates.
Newsday reported last week that faith leaders across Long Island were bracing for the possibility of Trump lifting the prohibition against immigration agents raiding houses of worship. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's policy road map for Trump’s second term, called for rescinding the guidance on "sensitive places."
Trump distanced himself from the 900-page plan during the campaign, but he has nominated many who worked on it for his new administration, including Tom Homan for "border czar."
The "sensitive zones" policy is not a law, so Trump can change it with an executive order, Young said.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre, the largest religious institution on Long Island, with 1.3 million baptized Catholics, said last week it "hopes that the sanctity of churches as places where all peoples feel safe to come and be fed in their spiritual and physical needs will continue to be respected."
As of Wednesday, no major raids had been reported.
Even some Long Islanders who back Trump’s mass deportation program said they had concerns about allowing immigration agents into houses of worship and said ICE should enter them only if they were in pursuit of a criminal.
"Let people pray to God'" at houses of worship, said Barrett Psareas, vice president of the Nassau County Civic Association.
Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.
Put a little love in your heart with the NewsdayTV Valentine's Day Special! From Love Lane in Mattituck, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.
