Judge Forces ICE to Open Doors for Priests on Ash Wednesday After Months of Blocking Clergy

Federal Judge Orders ICE to Allow Catholic Clergy Into Broadview Detention Center for Ash Wednesday Services

A federal judge in Illinois ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement must allow Catholic clergy into the Broadview detention facility to provide pastoral care to detained immigrants on Ash Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, a former President Clinton appointee, issued the ruling on February 12, 2026, finding that barring religious leaders from the facility violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a 1990s federal law designed to protect religious liberty.

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.

The ruling came after the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic community organization, filed suit following months of being denied access to the suburban Chicago facility. Faith leaders affiliated with CSPL had visited Broadview weekly for over a decade to pray with detainees and offer communion before access was revoked.

The ban followed the Trump administration's announcement of increased immigration enforcement in Chicago, known as Operation Midway Blitz. In October, officers denied the group access during a Eucharist procession, prompting the lawsuit the following month.

On Ash Wednesday, February 18, Father Paul Keller, Father Leandro Fossa, and Sister Alicia Gutierrez were escorted into the Broadview facility by Illinois state troopers and local police. Four detainees and three staff members received ashes and communion during the approximately two hour visit.

This is the body of Christ, bringing the body of Christ to the body of Christ.

Father Paul Keller said after the visit, adding that "that body is broken and it's hurting."

Father Fossa described witnessing "crying eyes, confusion and uncertainty," though he noted detainees appeared comforted by the church's presence.

Court Rules Religious Freedom Act Protects Clergy Access to ICE Detainees in Illinois

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, led an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass in Melrose Park for families of detained or deported individuals, followed by a community procession attended by more than 3,500 people.

Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy and the right of incarcerated persons to pastoral care is recognized nationwide. We are grateful that the courts have acknowledged this reality.

Cardinal Cupich stated.

The Justice Department had argued the lawsuit should not proceed, claiming the restriction was "a temporary, operationally necessary restriction." Judge Gettleman rejected this argument, noting that Broadview had allowed religious visitation for years before reversing course.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let this be absolutely clear: no government on earth has the right to stand between a soul and its Creator. These detainees, whatever their legal status, are human beings made in the image of God, and denying them access to the sacraments is an act of spiritual cruelty. The same government that champions "religious freedom" abroad tried to lock priests out of a detention center on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar. Thank God a judge had the courage to say what every Christian already knows: the right to worship does not end at a detention center door. If this had been imams denied access to a Muslim prison population, the outrage would have been deafening. Christians must hold the line here. Every soul deserves the chance to repent and receive grace, especially on Ash Wednesday.

Take Action

• Contact your Congressional representative and urge them to protect religious freedom access in all federal detention facilities. Find your representative at house.gov.
• Support the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) and their ongoing legal fight to provide pastoral care to immigrants: www.csplaction.org
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield, which supports persecuted Christians and those in need worldwide: www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Pray for detained immigrants and their families, especially during the Lenten season. Organize a prayer group at your local church focused on those in detention.
• Contact the Department of Homeland Security to demand permanent religious access policies for all detention facilities: (202) 282 8000