A lawsuit to stop immigration raids on places of worship has been filed by a coalition of 27 churches and faith groups.

Previously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy prevented enforcement actions in “sensitive” places like churches, schools, daycare centres and hospitals, but the new Trump administration claims they are being used to “hide criminals” and reversed the policy.

The lawsuit alleges an infringement of religious freedom as enforcement actions threaten ministry to vulnerable immigrant congregations.

The plaintiffs point to a recent case in Georgia, where an asylum-seeker was listening to a sermon in a Pentecostal church when ICE agents entered and arrested him.

Such arrests during worship and ministry would be “devastating” to plaintiffs’ religious practice, according to the lawsuit.

“It would shatter the consecrated space of sanctuary, thwart communal worship, and undermine the social service outreach that is central to religious expression and spiritual practice for Plaintiffs’ congregations and members,” the lawsuit states.