Judge Orders ICE to Allow Clergy Communion for Detained Migrants on Ash Wednesday

Catholic group sued after immigration authorities blocked access to detention center for months

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to allow Roman Catholic clergy members to minister to people at an ICE detention center near Chicago on Ash Wednesday, after the clergy had been denied access for months. The judge issued a preliminary injunction that would allow clergy to offer holy communion and ashes to detainees, saying the government did not face undue hardship in allowing the pastoral care.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and the Catholic Church's advocacy for the rights of migrants and detainees. The Broadview detention center has become a flashpoint, with clergy and protesters clashing with authorities over access and conditions.

The details

The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, a Catholic advocacy group, and several clergy filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in November, saying immigration authorities had unlawfully blocked them from providing pastoral care at the Broadview, Illinois ICE facility for months. The judge ruled that with proper communication to address security concerns, allowing the clergy to minister to detainees 'does not pose any undue hardship on the government'.

  • The judge issued the preliminary injunction on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • The Catholic group said clergy members and nuns were prepared to offer communion and ashes to detained immigrants on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.

The players

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership

A Catholic advocacy group based in Illinois that filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Judge Robert W. Gettleman

The federal judge who issued the preliminary injunction ordering ICE to allow clergy access to the Broadview detention center.

Father Dan Hartnett

One of the clergy members listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Father Leandro Fossá

A member of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership nonprofit.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that includes ICE and was ordered to comply with the court's decision.

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What they’re saying

“With reasonable notice and communication, addressing legitimate security and safety concerns, allowing plaintiffs to provide pastoral care to migrants and detainees does not pose any undue hardship on the government.”

— Judge Robert W. Gettleman (The New York Times)

“As Lent begins, we pray this ruling restores religious freedom for those detained and moves our country closer to justice in honoring the dignity of all migrants.”

— Father Dan Hartnett, Clergy member (The New York Times)

“The whole world has seen the injustices of our federal immigration system. We are eager to see how the federal government responds to the injunction and restores the fundamental religious rights of people in detention to receive pastoral visits, rights that had been honored previously.”

— Father Leandro Fossá, Member of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is required to discuss with clergy members how they can continue providing religious services to detainees after Ash Wednesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies and the Catholic Church's advocacy for the rights of migrants and detainees. The court's decision is a victory for religious freedom and the dignity of those in immigration detention.