Catholic Clergy Win Daily Access to Illinois ICE Facility After 10 Years of Weekly Visits
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 16
Catholic Clergy Win Daily Access to Illinois ICE Facility After 10 Years of Weekly Visits
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 16
A legal agreement filed Thursday lets Catholic clergy enter the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility every day to provide ministry and pastoral care to detainees.
The settlement follows a lawsuit brought about six months ago by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, which said federal authorities unlawfully blocked access and violated First Amendment and religious-protection laws.
Under the deal, clergy may visit from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., expanding a ministry that had previously taken place on Friday mornings for more than 10 years.
The dispute began after federal agents started restricting clergy access last September as immigration officers surged into the Chicago area during the Trump administration's crackdown.
Will the Chicago clergy access deal become a national model for ICE facilities?
With government oversight cut, who ensures detainees' religious rights are truly protected?
Can a local town really turn an ICE facility into a museum amidst mass detentions?