Media Contact
Aaron Weaver, aweaver@cbf.net
Today a federal appeals court upheld a preliminary injunction that protects CBF churches from unbridled immigration enforcement activity. CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley and CBF Director of Advocacy Jennifer Hawks released the following statement celebrating today’s ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
“Today’s decision is a powerful reaffirmation of the values that have defined the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship from our beginning. We remain steadfast in our commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy and the clear separation of church and state. For decades, our congregations have faithfully engaged in ministry among immigrants and refugees, offering a bold and courageous witness to the remarkable and relentless love of Christ. We give thanks that the court has preserved these protections while the case moves forward, allowing our congregations to worship and minister freely. While our work continues, we celebrate this important victory as a testament to the bold faith that rises from freedom rather than coercion.” –CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley
“CBF churches are houses of worship and not staging grounds for immigration enforcement actions. We are pleased that the Fourth Circuit upheld the preliminary injunction that recognizes this truth. The court’s well-reasoned opinion took seriously the evidence of harms to our churches by the revocation of the ‘sensitive locations policy’ that has existed in one form or another for nearly three decades. CBF looks forward to continuing to defend religious freedom as we seek permanent protection for our partner congregations.” –CBF Director of Advocacy Jennifer Hawks
What Did the Court Do?
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the preliminary injunction that CBF and other plaintiffs were granted in 2025. The ruling keeps in place the order that blocks ICE (and all Department of Homeland Security agents) from entering CBF churches to carry out enforcement operations unless they have first obtained a warrant or under certain specified circumstances.
- The preliminary injunction from 2025 restored part of the sensitive location policy that had been revoked by the interim secretary of DHS, ensuring that CBF churches remain free from unbridled government raids.
What Does It Mean?
- Restoration of Protections: Our congregations can continue to worship and minister without the fear of unbridled enforcement actions.
- Affirmation of Core Values: The ruling validates our longstanding commitment to religious liberty, local church autonomy and the separation of church and state.
- Support for Ministry: It safeguards our ability to serve immigrant and refugee communities effectively, reinforcing the bold and courageous witness that has defined our mission.
How can CBF partner congregations identify themselves as protected by the injunction?
- Post the following language at all entrances of the church____[Name of Church]____ is part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). Pursuant to a court order from the U.S. District Court of Maryland–affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Department of Homeland Security including ICE and CBP must treat our church as a “protected area” under the DHS Memorandum of October 27, 2021.
- Download these posters to use at each entrance of your church
- CBF Advocacy has created resources and curated content from partners to help our churches understand their rights and how to serve their immigrant neighbors in this shifting legal landscape. CBF created a video series and discussion guide on how the injunction and the U.S. Constitution protects your church as well as other tips and sample policies. Links to the content from partners are at the bottom of the page.
Key Points to Emphasize:
- The ruling keeps in place essential protections for our houses of worship.
- It reflects our unwavering commitment to our founding values.
- Immigrants and refugees are vital members of our beloved community and the larger church of Jesus Christ. Our religious freedom is lessened when immigrant communities are discouraged from participating in worship and participating in our ministries. We’ve been committed to ministry among immigrants and refugees from the beginning in our global mission engagement and in the mission commitments of our partner congregations.
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Led by the love of Christ, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship invites churches and individuals to partner in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources.