Spring 2026 Litigation Update
The case of Mennonite Church USA v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security has moved to an appeal. Learn more about this stage of the litigation below.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 a panel of three judges heard the appeal for the legislation. FGC’s Barry Crossno and Illinois Yearly Meeting’s Kevin Brubaker traveled to Washington, D.C. to be present for the appeal.
As you may know, FGC joined with more than 20 religious groups to keep ICE out of houses of worship. The coalition of faith groups is represented by a team that works through the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, or ICAP. The Institute is held at the Georgetown University Law Center, and they are taking on this case for free.
Legal experts told FGC staff that it may be a couple of months before the court issues a decision based on this hearing. The pace of courts is slow, and we will keep you updated when there is news.
Friends continue to wait in prayer. People are being abducted each day, and the pace of courts has immediate effects on some families. At the same time, we know that prayer is an important element of working for justice. Direct action is an important part of working for justice. Please consider what balance of prayer and action is right for you.
For more information on the four roles of social change — helpers, advocates, organizers, and rebels — please see this article by Daniel Hunter.
Recent Litigation Updates
List of Participating Plaintiffs
- Mennonite Church USA
- The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (NC)
- The Central Conference of American Rabbis
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (IN)
- Church of the Brethren, Inc.
- Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas
- The Episcopal Church
- Fellowship Southwest (TX)
- Friends General Conference
- General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
- General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church
- Latino Christian National Network, Massachusetts Council of Churches
- The New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
- New York State Council of Churches
- North Carolina Council of Churches
- The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church
- The Rabbinical Assembly
- Reconstructing Judaism
- Rhode Island State Council of Churches
- Union for Reform Judaism
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
- The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
- Wisconsin Council of Churches
- WISDOM, Inc. (WI)