Clergy Seek Access to Minors in ICE Facilities Amid Ongoing Controversy

Fri Mar 20 2026 06:16:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Religious leaders in Minnesota petition the federal court to secure rights for pastoral access to detainees under ICE custody, claiming current restrictions infringe upon sacred duties.

Religious leaders, including bishops and other clergy, are advocating for unrestricted access to immigration detention facilities in Minnesota. They argue that current restrictions violate constitutional rights and make it difficult to provide spiritual care to detainees. U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell will hear the case to determine if clergy can be granted prompt access, amid government claims that the situation has improved since a recent enforcement operation ended.

Protestant and Catholic clergy in Minnesota are taking a stand by petitioning a federal judge to enforce their right to minister to immigrants held in a federal detention center linked to ICE's actions in the state.

U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell is set to hear arguments this Friday from representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ, and a Catholic priest. They are seeking an injunction that would allow them to perform in-person pastoral visits to all detainees at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, a location that has become a focal point for protests against ICE operations.

The lawsuit asserts that the Whipple building, named after Minnesota’s first Episcopal bishop who was an advocate for human rights, now contradicts his legacy. It states that the building is emblematic of systematic deprivation of constitutional rights by the federal government.

Government lawyers contest that the request may be moot due to the end of Operation Metro Surge in February and the reduction in new detentions that has led to eased restrictions on visitation. They argue that the facility is typically meant for short-term holding and has seen a general decrease in visitor traffic.

Support for the clergy's request has come from various religious leaders, including Catholic and Episcopal bishops, as well as the Minnesota Council of Churches. They note the importance of spiritual guidance for detainees who face significant hardship.

Moreover, this effort to gain access is not isolated to Minnesota. Clergy across the United States have been pressing for better access to detention facilities during significant religious periods, reflecting a long tradition of faith leaders reaching out to offer support to those in the system.

The lawsuit emphasizes how restrictions interfere with faith leaders' ability to provide essential spiritual care to those in despair. It argues that ICE's practices obstruct freedom of religion and violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

As the legal proceedings unfold, advocates are hopeful for a favorable resolution that would restore meaningful connections between clergy and detainees in need of guidance.