Federal Judge Orders DHS Protocol for Ministerial Access at Minnesota ICE Facility
A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security on March 21 to develop a protocol permitting clergy members and Christian ministers, including Jesuit priests, access detainees in Minneapolis's Whipple Building. This ruling follows earlier injunctions granted by judges who confirmed that religious leaders must be allowed ministerial care for immigrants held at this facility following their arrest or detention there.
Key Points
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1U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell granted an injunction on March 20 ordering DHS to allow clergy access for spiritual care in a Minneapolis ICE facility.
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2The ruling specifically applies to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, which has processed many detained immigrants during previous enforcement surges including Trump's administration surge.
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3Judge Blackwel ordered that protocols be developed immediately by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding these visits.
Developments
U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell granted a lawsuit filed on February 23, allowing clergy members access to provide spiritual care at an ICE processing facility near Minneapolis following security concerns raised by federal officials. The ruling cites the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights and notes that restrictions on religious freedom cause irreparable harm while ordering both parties within seven days of negotiating or submitting competing plans for admission protocols.
U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell ordered DHS to establish clear protocols allowing clergy access at Fort Snelling's Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building following a lawsuit alleging violations of religious freedom and First Amendment rights during Operation Metro Surge, despite the government arguing that recent agent withdrawals have mooted the issue due to existing accessibility for pastoral care requests by faith organizations.
U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell ruled that clergy are permitted for pastoral visits at Minnesota's ICE holding facility after plaintiffs proved such restrictions cause irreparable harm and violate religious freedom laws. The judge ordered both parties to negotiate access specifics within four business days while addressing security concerns, marking a victory for advocates of faith-based support in detention centers used during the Trump administration enforcement surge.