Media Coverage: CSPL Files Federal Lawsuit After ICE Blocks Sisters and Clergy
November 20, 2020On Wednesday, November 19, CSPL and several Catholic sisters and clergy members filed a federal lawsuit alleging that DHS, ICE, and senior federal officials unlawfully blocked clergy and women religious from providing religious ministry—including prayer and Holy Communion—to detainees at the Broadview ICE facility. They argue that these restrictions violate the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Media Coverage:
November 19, 2025 - Axios: Chicago clergy sue DHS over blocked access to immigrant facility
November 19, 2025 - Chicago Sun-Times: Clergy sue feds over restriction on providing religious services to immigrants held at Broadview ICE facility
November 20, 2020 - Politico: Clergy sue ICE over access
November 20, 2020 - New York Times: Catholic Group Sues Trump Administration for Access to Immigration Facility
November 20, 2020 - Morning Joe: Catholics form unified front against deportation and detention of immigrants (Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ appears at 2:45)
November 20, 2020 - The Catholic Observer: Faith Group Sues Trump Administration Over Its Refusal to Let Catholics Serve Communion, Provide Pastoral Care At ICE Facility
November 20, 2020 - Catholic News Agency - Faith leaders file suit to distribute Communion at ICE facility
November 20, 2020 - Just the News: Catholic leaders sue Trump administration for denying entry to ICE facility to give Communion
November 20, 2020 - WBEZ: Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith (Sr. Christin Tomy, early in the show)
November 20, 2020 - Religion News Service: Catholic clergy, nuns sue Trump admin over Communion access for ICE detainees
November 20, 2020 - National Catholic Reporter: Catholic coalition sues federal government after being barred from Chicago ICE facility
November 20, 2020 - Catholic Review: Chicago Catholic coalition sues ICE over denial of holy Communion, pastoral care
November 20, 2020 - ANGELUS: Catholic faith leaders sue DHS for access to Illinois ICE facility
November 20, 2020 - WBBM News Radio: Clergy sue after ICE won’t allow them in Broadview facility
