A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government will not be permitted to conduct unrestricted arrests of suspected unauthorised immigrants at some religious sites while a lawsuit over the policy plays out in federal court.

In an injunction on Monday, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang blocked the Trump administration policy carrying out “potential or actual immigration actions” at houses of worship.

The Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump last month rescinded Biden-era guidelines that previously required Immigration agents to seek their superior’s approval before arresting people at or near “sensitive locations” such as churches, hospitals, or schools.

The religious groups filed suit against the federal government shortly after, arguing in part that the policy’s enforcement would infringe on constitutional religious rights.