Case: New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America v. Department of Homeland Security

4:25-cv-40102 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: July 28, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 20, 2025, then-Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded a decades-old policy that limited immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” like houses of worship. The new policy removed prior approval requirements and gave agents broad discretion to carry out enforcement based on their “individual discretion” and “common sense,” without requiring exigent circumstances. DHS and other government officials publicly supported the chan…

On July 28, 2025, a coalition of religious organizations, including the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, and Metropolitan Community Churches, sued DHS in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Represented by Democracy Forward, Washington Lawyers’ Committee, and private counsel, the plaintiffs sued under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the First Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV was assigned to the case.

Plaintiffs argued that the new policy led to an increase in immigration enforcement actions at or near houses of worship and infringed on religious freedom in violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion by creating an atmosphere of fear that discouraged worshippers from attending services and participating in church activities. As a result, churches experienced declines in attendance and financial support, and some were forced to cancel programs that served immigrant populations. Plaintiffs also contended that DHS unlawfully implemented the policy without complying with the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.

On July 29, 2025, the plaintiffs sought a stay or a preliminary injunction to set aside the new policy and bar the defendants from implementing it until the case is resolved.

On February 13, 2026, the court granted the plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction, finding that they were likely to succeed on the merits of their claim under the RFRA and would suffer irreparable harm without it. The court concluded that the 2025 policy imposed a substantial burden on the exercise of religion by allowing immigration enforcement at or near churches, which discourages attendance. While the government has a compelling interest in enforcing immigration laws, the court found the 2025 policy was not the least restrictive means of doing so. The court additionally found that restrictions on the free exercise of religion constituted irreparable injury, and that several of the plaintiff organizations suffered concrete injuries, such as significant decline in attendance and worship services and subsequent financial losses that were fairly traceable to the policy. The court finally concluded that the public interest in protecting religious freedom outweighed the government's interest in routine immigration enforcement at houses of worship, especially since the injunction does not stop enforcement in emergency situations or through judicial warrants. Consequently, the court issued a preliminary injunction which enjoined ICE from taking warrantless immigration-enforcement actions, absent exigent circumstances, inside plaintiffs’ church buildings, at their entrances, on adjacent property, at religious education and social service facilities or within 100 feet from plaintiffs’ church entrances. The injunction also prohibited law enforcement from setting up checkpoints to interrogate people specifically on their way to or from plaintiffs’ churches. The Court further ordered plaintiffs to provide defendants and file on the docket a list of the names and addresses of their places of worship and adjacent protected facilities, and descriptions of adjacent protected areas. 2026 WL 412329.

Shortly after issuing the preliminary injunction, on February 26, 2026, the court denied a motion by the plaintiffs to impound the list of the names and addresses of protected areas that they were ordered to provide to the defendants and for the entry of a protective order limiting the use of that information by the government. The court reasoned that the location of the plaintiffs’ places of worship is information “freely available to the public,” but cautioned the defendants that any retaliatory actions against them were prohibited and would be treated as contempt of court. 2026 WL 538179.

This case is ongoing.

show full summary

Summary Authors

Victoria Tan (7/31/2025)

Jinan Abufarha (12/2/2025)

Sofia Yoder (3/15/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70939776/parties/new-england-synod-evangelical-lutheran-church-in-america-v-department-of/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bookbinder, Andrew Liang (Massachusetts)

Colon, Melissa (Massachusetts)

Downer, Ryan C. (Massachusetts)

Friedl, Kevin E. (Massachusetts)

Gates, Madeleine (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Saylor, F. Dennis (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bookbinder, Andrew Liang (Massachusetts)

Colon, Melissa (Massachusetts)

Downer, Ryan C. (Massachusetts)

Friedl, Kevin E. (Massachusetts)

Gates, Madeleine (Massachusetts)

Goetz, Sarah (Massachusetts)

Ijoma, Samone (Massachusetts)

Khan, Ayesha N. (Massachusetts)

Leveridge, Richard James (Massachusetts)

Levey, Brandon (Massachusetts)

Moore, John Sterling (Massachusetts)

Murphy, Sonia W (Massachusetts)

Samburg, Mark (Massachusetts)

Sraders, Sarah (Massachusetts)

Welch, Brittney M. (Massachusetts)

Wiggins, Audrey Jordan (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Giles, Richard Cody (Massachusetts)

Wolfe, Kristina A. (Massachusetts)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 4:25-cv-40102	Complaint	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 Complaint
32 4:25-cv-40102	Motion for Stay Under 5 U.S.C. 705 or, In The Alternative, Preliminary Injunction	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
74 4:25-cv-40102	Memorandum and Order on Plaintiffs' Motion for Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, In the Alternative Preliminary Injunction New England Synod v. Department of Homeland Security	Feb. 13, 2026	Feb. 13, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 412329

show / hide documents

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70939776/new-england-synod-evangelical-lutheran-church-in-america-v-department-of/

Last updated April 5, 2026, 3:35 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11144147 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Civil Cover Sheet, # 11 Category Form)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025) 1 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 4 View on RECAP 5 Exhibit 5 View on RECAP 6 Exhibit 6 View on RECAP 7 Exhibit 7 View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 8 View on RECAP 9 Exhibit 9 View on RECAP 10 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 11 Category Form View on RECAP	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages in Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Relief by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
3	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kevin E. Friedl Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11144404 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Kevin E. Friedl)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
4	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sarah R. Goetz Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11144452 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Sarah R. Goetz)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
5	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of J. Sterling Moore Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11144468 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of J. Sterling Moore)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
6	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Andrew Bookbinder Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11144483 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Andrew Bookbinder)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
7	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Audrey Wiggins Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11144486 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Texas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Audrey Wiggins)(Samburg, Mark) (Main Document 7 replaced on 7/29/2025) (MAC). (Attachment 1 replaced on 7/29/2025) (MAC). Modified on 7/29/2025: Declaration document improperly filed as the main document. Admission for pro hac document incorrectly filed as an attachment Declaration . (MAC) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
8	ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (JB) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
9	Summons Issued as to All Defendants. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (JB) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025 RECAP
10	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sonia W. Murphy Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145061 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix Declaration of Sonia W. Murphy)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
11	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brandon A. Levey Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145082 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Brandon A. Levey)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
12	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sarah A. Sraders Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145095 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Sarah A. Sraders)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
13	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Madeleine Gates Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145109 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Madeleine Gates)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
14	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ryan Downer Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145114 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Ryan Downer)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
15	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Melissa Colon Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145117 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Melissa Colon)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
16	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Richard J. Leveridge Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145123 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Richard J. Leveridge)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
17	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Samone Ijoma Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11145131 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Samone Ijoma)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
18	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kevin E. Friedl. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
19	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Sarah R. Goetz. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
20	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added J. Sterling Moore. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
21	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Andrew Bookbinder. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
22	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Audrey Wiggins. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
23	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Sonia W. Murphy. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
24	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brandon A. Levey. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
25	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Sarah A. Sraders. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
26	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Madeleine Gates. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
27	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ryan Downer. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
28	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Melissa Colon. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
30	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Richard J. Leveridge. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
31	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Samone Ijoma. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
	Notice of Case Assignment	July 28, 2025	July 28, 2025
29	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 2 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages in Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Relief ; Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (MMM) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
32	MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative,, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction ( Responses due by 8/12/2025) by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 07/29/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025 Clearinghouse
33	MEMORANDUM in Support re 32 MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 10, # 2 Exhibit 11, # 3 Exhibit 12, # 4 Exhibit 13, # 5 Exhibit 14, # 6 Exhibit 15, # 7 Exhibit 16, # 8 Exhibit 17, # 9 Exhibit 18, # 10 Exhibit 19, # 11 Exhibit 20, # 12 Exhibit 21, # 13 Exhibit 22, # 14 Exhibit 23, # 15 Exhibit 24, # 16 Exhibit 25, # 17 Exhibit 26)(Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 07/29/2025) 1 Exhibit 10 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 11 View on PACER 3 Exhibit 12 View on PACER 4 Exhibit 13 View on PACER 5 Exhibit 14 View on PACER 6 Exhibit 15 View on PACER 7 Exhibit 16 View on PACER 8 Exhibit 17 View on PACER 9 Exhibit 18 View on PACER 10 Exhibit 19 View on PACER 11 Exhibit 20 View on PACER 12 Exhibit 21 View on PACER 13 Exhibit 22 View on PACER 14 Exhibit 23 View on PACER 15 Exhibit 24 View on PACER 16 Exhibit 25 View on PACER 17 Exhibit 26 View on PACER	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
34	NOTICE of Appearance by John Sterling Moore on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Moore, John) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025 RECAP
35	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Goetz on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Goetz, Sarah) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
36	NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Liang Bookbinder on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Bookbinder, Andrew) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
37	NOTICE of Appearance by Audrey Jordan Wiggins on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Wiggins, Audrey) (Entered: 07/29/2025)	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	July 29, 2025	July 29, 2025
38	NOTICE of Appearance by Sonia W Murphy on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Murphy, Sonia) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
39	NOTICE of Appearance by Richard James Leveridge on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Leveridge, Richard) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
40	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Sraders on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Sraders, Sarah) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
41	NOTICE of Appearance by Brandon Levey on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Levey, Brandon) (Entered: 07/30/2025)	July 30, 2025	July 30, 2025
42	NOTICE of Appearance by Samone Ijoma on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Ijoma, Samone) (Entered: 07/31/2025)	July 31, 2025	July 31, 2025
43	NOTICE of Appearance by Madeleine Gates on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Gates, Madeleine) (Entered: 08/01/2025)	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025
44	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brittney M. Welch Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11157803 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Brittney M. Welch)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 08/04/2025)	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025
47	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 44 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brittney M. Welch. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025
45	SUMMONS Returned Executed by San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Metropolitan Community Churches, Southwest California Synod, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Southwestern Texas Synod, New England Synod, Alliance of Baptists, Sierra Pacific Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Service - Department of Homeland Security, # 2 Affidavit of Service - Kristi Noem)(Murphy, Sonia) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025
46	SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Metropolitan Community Churches, Southwest California Synod, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Southwestern Texas Synod, New England Synod, Alliance of Baptists, Sierra Pacific Synod. All Defendants. (Murphy, Sonia) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025
48	NOTICE of Appearance by Richard Cody Giles on behalf of Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem (Giles, Richard) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	Aug. 7, 2025	Aug. 7, 2025
49	SCHEDULING ORDER re Preliminary Injunction filings:Opposition to Motion shall be filed by 8/18/25.Reply memorandum shall be filed by 8/25/25.NOTICE OF HEARING:Motion Hearing set for 9/9/2025 02:00 PM in Courtroom 1 (In person only) before District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. (MMM) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	Aug. 7, 2025	Aug. 7, 2025
	Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion	Aug. 7, 2025	Aug. 7, 2025
50	NOTICE of Appearance by Brittney M. Welch on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Welch, Brittney) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025
51	Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Giles, Richard) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025
52	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 51 Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages; Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (MMM) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025
53	NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan C. Downer on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Downer, Ryan) (Entered: 08/13/2025)	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025
54	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney of Sarah A. Sraders by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Sraders, Sarah) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025
55	Consent MOTION Excuse Attendance of Local Counsel by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod.(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 08/18/2025)	Aug. 18, 2025	Aug. 18, 2025
56	Opposition re 32 MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Transcript of Hearing - DPS v. Noem, # 2 Exhibit Declaration of Officer Kincaid, # 3 Proposed Order)(Giles, Richard) (Entered: 08/18/2025)	Aug. 18, 2025	Aug. 18, 2025
57	REPLY to Response to 32 MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 08/25/2025)	Aug. 25, 2025	Aug. 25, 2025
58	NOTICE of Appearance by Melissa Colon on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Colon, Melissa) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	Sept. 3, 2025	Sept. 3, 2025
59	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 55 Consent MOTION Excuse Attendance of Local Counsel. (MMM) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	Sept. 3, 2025	Sept. 3, 2025
	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief	Sept. 3, 2025	Sept. 3, 2025
60	Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: Motion Hearing held on 9/9/2025. Case called; Arguments heard; Court takes matter under advisement. (Court Reporter: Valerie OHara at vaohara@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Kevin Friedl, Andrew Bookbinder, John Moore, Audrey Wiggins, Sonia Murphy and Samone Ijoma for the plaintiffs. Richard Giles for the government.) (MMM) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	Sept. 9, 2025	Sept. 9, 2025
	Motion Hearing	Sept. 9, 2025	Sept. 9, 2025
61	Transcript of Motion Hearing held on September 9, 2025, before Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Valerie OHara at vaohara@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 10/6/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 10/16/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 12/15/2025. (DRK) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
62	NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (DRK) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
63	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer Unopposed by Plaintiffs by Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Giles, Richard) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
64	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 63 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer Unopposed by Plaintiff. Defendant answer due 30 days after the resolution of the pending motion to stay. (MMM) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
65	NOTICE by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod Plaintiffs' Notice of Supplemental Facts and Reports of Impending Enforcement Operations (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of J. Sterling Moore and Exhibits)(Moore, John) (Attachment 1 replaced on 11/26/2025) (MAC). (Additional attachment(s) added on 11/26/2025: # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9) (MAC). (Entered: 11/21/2025) 1 Affidavit Declaration of J. Sterling Moore and Exhibits View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP 5 Exhibit 4 View on RECAP 6 Exhibit 5 View on RECAP 7 Exhibit 6 View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 7 View on RECAP 9 Exhibit 8 View on RECAP 10 Exhibit 9 View on RECAP	Nov. 21, 2025	Nov. 21, 2025 RECAP
66	Notice of Supplemental Authorities re 32 MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Make the Road New York v. Noem, No. 25-5320 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 22, 2025))(Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 11/24/2025) 1 Make the Road New York v. Noem, No. 25-5320 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 22, 2025) View on PACER	Nov. 24, 2025	Nov. 24, 2025
67	NOTICE re 65 ELECTRONIC NOTICE TO COUNSEL: In the future all exhibits should be separated and filed as separate attachments. Counsel is reminded to review the local rules and the attorney handbook when filing documents with the Court by accessing our web page, at www.mad.uscourts.gov under CM/ECF E-Filing. (MAC) (Entered: 11/26/2025)	Nov. 26, 2025	Nov. 26, 2025
	Notice - Other	Nov. 26, 2025	Nov. 26, 2025
68	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ayesha N. Khan Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11414925 by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Ayesha N. Khan)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 12/11/2025)	Dec. 11, 2025	Dec. 11, 2025
69	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 68 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ayesha N. Khan. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MBM) (Entered: 12/12/2025)	Dec. 12, 2025	Dec. 12, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	Dec. 12, 2025	Dec. 12, 2025
70	NOTICE of Appearance by Ayesha N. Khan on behalf of Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod (Khan, Ayesha) (Entered: 12/16/2025)	Dec. 16, 2025	Dec. 16, 2025
71	NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Melissa Colon (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR LEAVE TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL)(Colon, Melissa) (Entered: 01/06/2026)	Jan. 6, 2026	Jan. 6, 2026
72	NOTICE by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod Plaintiffs' Second Notice of Supplemental Facts (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 27, # 2 Exhibit 28)(Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 01/13/2026) 1 Exhibit 27 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 28 View on PACER	Jan. 13, 2026	Jan. 13, 2026 RECAP
73	Second Notice of Supplemental Authorities re 32 MOTION Stay Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 or, in the alternative, MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting v. DHS, No. 25-cv-0243 (D. Md. Feb. 3, 2026))(Friedl, Kevin) (Entered: 02/03/2026) 1 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting v. DHS, No. 25-cv-0243 (D. Md. Feb. 3, 2026) View on RECAP	Feb. 3, 2026	Feb. 3, 2026 RECAP
74	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR STAY UNDER 5 U.S.C. § 705 OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION entered. For the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs’ motion for a stay or preliminary injunction is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The Court will enter a separate preliminary injunction order.So Ordered.(MAC) (Entered: 02/13/2026)	Feb. 13, 2026	Feb. 13, 2026 Clearinghouse
75	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER entered. (MAC) (Entered: 02/13/2026)	Feb. 13, 2026	Feb. 13, 2026 RECAP
76	Protective Order AND Seal Document 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Proposed Protective Order View on PACER	Feb. 19, 2026	Feb. 19, 2026
77	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON PLAINTIFFS' CONSOLIDATED MOTIONTO IMPOUND AND FOR ENTRY OF PROTECTIVE ORDER entered. For the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs’ consolidated motion to impound and for entry of protective order is DENIED.So Ordered.(MAC)	Feb. 26, 2026	Feb. 26, 2026 RECAP
78	NOTICE by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod of Filing in Compliance with Preliminary Injunction, ECF 75 (Attachments: # 1 Protected Areas Address List)(Gates, Madeleine) (Entered: 02/27/2026) 1 Protected Areas Address List View on PACER	Feb. 27, 2026	Feb. 27, 2026
79	RECEIPT: Receipt # 100014705 for monies received on 2/19/2026 in amount of $ 100.00, re: 75 Preliminary Injunction. (LBO) (Entered: 03/05/2026)	March 5, 2026	March 5, 2026
	Receipt from Financial Office	March 5, 2026	March 5, 2026
80	NOTICE by Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Metropolitan Community Churches, New England Synod, North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, San Francisco Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Sierra Pacific Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod of Filing in Compliance with Preliminary Injunction, ECF 75 (Attachments: # 1 Protected Areas Address and Descriptions List)(Gates, Madeleine) (Entered: 03/06/2026)	March 6, 2026	March 6, 2026
81	NOTICE of Appearance by Kristina A. Wolfe on behalf of Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem (Wolfe, Kristina) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
82	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to March 30, 2026 to Respond to Complaint by Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Wolfe, Kristina) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
83	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 82 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to March 30, 2026 to Respond to Complaint (MMM) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026
84	Extension of Time	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026

show / hide docket entries

Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Immigration Enforcement

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 28, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Acoalition of religious organizations, including the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, and Metropolitan Community Churches

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Washington Lawyers' Committee

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 4:25-cv-40102

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Enforcement location

ICE/DHS/INS raid

Undocumented immigrants - rights and duties

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America v. Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46829/ (last updated 3/15/2026).