Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

• June 27, 2019

  2019.06.27 [Email]

  Email obtained through FOIA showing ICE implementation of policy against people in sanctuary.

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• October 23, 2019

  ICE tried to fine immigrants living in sanctuary churches. Now, it’s backing down.

  ICE reportedly withdraws multiple fines issued to immigrants with removal orders who sought sanctuary in churches, in a reversal of Trump's January 2017 order directing ICE to collect fines.

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• February 26, 2020

  2020.02.26 Complaint - Austin Sanctuary Network v. ICE

  Four nonprofits filed a lawsuit to demand records regarding the imposition of civil fines against individuals taking sanctuary from deportation in houses of worship, alleging that the government’s failure to disclose and release records violated the Freedom of Information Act. Austin Sanctuary Network v. ICE, No. 1:20-cv-01686 (S.D.N.Y.).

  **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

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• January 19, 2021

  2021.01.19 Complaint - Austin Sanctuary Network v. Gaynor

  Two nonprofits and four immigrants filed a lawsuit to challenge ICE’s practice of issuing hundreds of thousands of dollars in civil fines against people who have taken sanctuary from deportation orders in houses of worship. All four individual plaintiffs are asylum seekers who became leaders of the sanctuary movement. The lawsuit alleges that the government’s issuance of these fines infringes the plaintiffs’ rights of free speech, association, and religion, as well as their right to be free from excessive fines. It also alleges that the government violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Austin Sanctuary Network v. Gaynor, No. 1:21-cv-00164 (D.D.C.).

  **See litigation note above**

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• September 19, 2022

  2022.09.19 Order - Austin Sanctuary Network v. ICE

  A federal district court ordered ICE to conduct a new search for additional records responsive to plaintiffs’ FOIA request. The court found that ICE’s failure to search ICE senior leadership in response to the FOIA request was unreasonable, and that ICE’s search for emails and records—where it did search—was “haphazard, inconsistent, incomplete, and inadequate.” Austin Sanctuary Network v. ICE, No. 1:20-cv-01686 (S.D.N.Y.).

  **See litigation note above**

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• June 21, 2023

  2023.06.21 Settlement - Austin Sanctuary Network v. Mayorkas

  The parties announced that they reached a settlement agreement. Under the agreement, ICE agreed to grant the individual plaintiffs three years of deferred action status and dismiss their pending immigration cases. Austin Sanctuary Network v. Mayorkas, No. 1:21-cv-00164 (D.D.C.).

  **See litigation note above**

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