Judge orders ICE to allow clergy communion for detained migrants

Ruling comes ahead of Ash Wednesday services at Illinois detention facility

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow Catholic clergy to provide communion and other pastoral services to migrants detained at an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois. The ruling came after a Catholic nonprofit and several clergy members sued, claiming ICE had unlawfully blocked their access to the facility for months.

Why it matters

The decision upholds the religious rights of detained migrants and ensures they can participate in important religious observances like Ash Wednesday. It also highlights ongoing tensions between immigration authorities and faith-based groups over access to detention centers.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by the Catholic nonprofit Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants and several clergy members. They alleged that ICE had denied them access to the Broadview, Illinois detention facility for months, preventing them from providing communion, ashes, and other pastoral care to the detained migrants. The judge ruled that ICE's actions violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and ordered the agency to grant the clergy access ahead of Ash Wednesday services.

  • The lawsuit was filed in late 2025.
  • The judge's ruling came on February 13, 2026, just ahead of Ash Wednesday on February 14.

The players

Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants

A Catholic nonprofit organization that provides pastoral care and other services to migrants detained by ICE.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for immigration detention and enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“We must uphold the religious rights of all people, including those in immigration detention.”

— Judge Samantha Ruiz, U.S. District Court Judge

What’s next

The ruling is expected to set a precedent for faith-based groups' access to immigration detention facilities nationwide.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and religious freedom, underscoring the importance of balancing national security concerns with the constitutional rights of detained individuals.