On January 23, three East Coast Quaker groups were the first religious bodies to bring a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging a Trump administration decision that would allow immigration enforcement (arrests, etc.) at houses of worship. Soon after, the Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) made the following statement in support of the lawsuit.
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To the Editor,
The Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) has recently approved the following statement:
“The Olympia Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) stands in support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting and the individual monthly meetings in their 2025 lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security. As Quakers, we affirm that freedom to exercise religion is a crucial right of all people that is enshrined in the United States Constitution.
For decades, United States policy has prevented immigration enforcement, including arrests, investigations and surveillance, at sensitive places including houses of worship. The Trump-Vance administration allows the government to conduct immigration enforcement in those areas. Fear of government enforcement may deter worshippers from attending services, infringing on their right to associate for religious exercise.
Quakers believe that a diversity of voices is essential to our spiritual experience and have a historic commitment to peace. When the government takes actions that reduce the access to worship and potentially allows a violent encounter within a place of worship, it interferes with our ability to participate in our faith.”
For more information on Olympia Friends Meeting, go to www.olympiafriends.org.
Sincerely,
The Peace and Social Justice Committee of the Olympia Friends Meeting
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