Case: Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership v. Noem

1:25-cv-14168 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Nov. 19, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a lawsuit challenging the refusal of ICE to permit religious leaders to offer Holy Communion and prayer at an immigration detention facility. On November 19, 2025, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, a religious advocacy group, and several individual religious leaders, sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Justice, and President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  They challenged the denial of perm…

This is a lawsuit challenging the refusal of ICE to permit religious leaders to offer Holy Communion and prayer at an immigration detention facility.

On November 19, 2025, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, a religious advocacy group, and several individual religious leaders, sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Justice, and President Trump in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  They challenged the denial of permission to minister at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) facility in Broadview, Illinois as a violation of their Free Exercise rights under the First Amendment, and asserted that right as well on behalf of the detainees who would have participated in the religious services. They further challenged the denial, for unspecified "safety and security concerns," under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (“RFRA”) and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (“RLUIPA”). Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, including that the court enjoin defendants from denying plaintiffs access to minister to detainees at the Broadview facility, including for religious services, praying, pastoral care, and ministering sacraments, except under reasonable rules and regulations.  The case was assigned to Judge Robert W. Gettleman. 

On December 5, 2025, the plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to restore immediate access for prayer, pastoral care, and the distribution of Communion. They asserted that the continued restriction constituted religious discrimination without cause in violation of the First Amendment and risked irreparable harm to both clergy and detainees by way of immense spiritual deprivation. 

This case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Calvin OConnell (1/15/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71934446/parties/coalition-for-spiritual-and-public-leadership-v-noem/


Judge(s)

Gettleman, Robert William (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dahlstrom, Patrick V. (Illinois)

Geoghegan, Thomas Howard (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

Terman, Sarah Fattahi (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-14168

Plaintiffs' Complaint For Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership et al. v. Noem et al.

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

Complaint
8

1:25-cv-14168

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71934446/coalition-for-spiritual-and-public-leadership-v-noem/

Last updated Feb. 11, 2026, 12:21 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief filed by Larry Dowling, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz, Jeremy Midura, Dennis Berry, Dan Hartnett; Jury Demand. Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-24373582. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Geoghegan, Thomas) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Dennis Berry, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Larry Dowling, Dan Hartnett, Jeremy Midura, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz by Patrick V. Dahlstrom (Dahlstrom, Patrick) (Entered: 11/19/2025)

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Matthew F. Kennelly. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Jeffrey T. Gilbert. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (nh, )

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (nh, )

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

3

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Dennis Berry, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Larry Dowling, Dan Hartnett, Jeremy Midura, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz by Thomas Howard Geoghegan (Geoghegan, Thomas) (Entered: 11/20/2025)

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

4

SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Pamela Bondi, Gregory Bovino, Marcos Charles, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Russell Hott, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, Rodney S Scott, Donald J Trump, and U.S. Attorney. (cvk, ) (Entered: 11/21/2025)

Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

5

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership as to US Attorney served on 11/21/2025, answer due 1/20/2026 (Dahlstrom, Patrick) (Entered: 12/01/2025)

Dec. 1, 2025

Dec. 1, 2025

6

MINUTE entry before the Executive Committee: Case reassigned to the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman for all further proceedings pursuant to Local Rule 40.4. Mailed notice (Attachments: # 1 Request for Reassignment) (vkm, ) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

7

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman: Telephonic status hearing set for 12/11/2025 at 10:30 a.m. To join the telephone conference, dial (650) 479-3207, Access Code 1809 88 3385. Throughout the hearing, each speaker will be expected to identify themselves for the record before speaking. Counsel must be in a quiet area while on the line. Please be sure to keep your phone on mute when you are not speaking. Counsel of record and other essential case participants will receive an email prior to the start of the hearing with instructions to join the hearing. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Emailed notice (cn). (Entered: 12/05/2025)

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

8

MOTION by Plaintiffs Dennis Berry, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Larry Dowling, Jeremy Midura, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz for preliminary injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A. Persch Declaration, # 2 Exhibit B. Okiczyc-Cruz Declaration, # 3 Exhibit C. Dowling Declaration)(Geoghegan, Thomas) (Entered: 12/05/2025)

1 Exhibit A. Persch Declaration

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B. Okiczyc-Cruz Declaration

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit C. Dowling Declaration

View on RECAP

Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

RECAP
9

DESIGNATION of Sarah Fattahi Terman as U.S. Attorney for Defendants Pamela Bondi, Gregory Bovino, Marcos Charles, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Russell Hott, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, Rodney S Scott, Donald J Trump, US Attorney (Terman, Sarah) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

10

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman: Telephonic hearing held on 12/11/2025. For the reasons stated on the record, the court sets the following briefing schedule on Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction 8 : defendants' response due 1/20/2026; plaintiffs' reply due 1/27/2026. Telephonic status hearing set for 1/6/2026 at 1:30 p.m. Telephonic motion hearing set for 2/10/2026 at 10:00 a.m. To join the telephone conferences, dial (650) 479-3207, Access Code 1809 88 3385. Throughout the hearing, each speaker will be expected to identify themselves for the record before speaking. Counsel must be in a quiet area while on the line. Please be sure to keep your phone on mute when you are not speaking. Counsel of record and other essential case participants will receive an email prior to the start of the hearing with instructions to join the hearing. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Emailed notice (cn). (Entered: 12/11/2025)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

11

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman: Telephonic status hearing set for 1/6/2026 at 1:30 p.m. is stricken and reset to an in court hearing set for 1/6/2026 at 2:00 p.m. Emailed notice (cn). (Entered: 12/27/2025)

Dec. 27, 2025

Dec. 27, 2025

12

ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/31/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 12/31/2025)

Dec. 31, 2025

Dec. 31, 2025

13

ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 1/5/2026: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

14

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on December 11, 2025 before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman. Order Number: 54048. Court Reporter Contact Information: nancy_bistany@ilnd.uscourts.gov. IMPORTANT: The transcript may be viewed at the court's public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter/Transcriber or PACER. For further information on the redaction process, see the Court's web site at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov under Quick Links select Policy Regarding the Availability of Transcripts of Court Proceedings. Redaction Request due 1/27/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 2/6/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/6/2026. (Bistany, Nancy) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

15

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman: In court hearing held on 1/6/2025. The parties will adhere to the briefing schedule set on 12/11/2025 10 . Telephonic hearing set for 2/10/2026 at 10:00 a.m. is stricken and reset to an in court hearing set for 2/12/2026 at 10:00 a.m. Emailed notice (cn). (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

16

Pursuant to Local Rule 72.1, this case is hereby referred to the calendar of Honorable Laura K. McNally for the purpose of holding proceedings related to: discovery supervision (including the authority to adjust all deadlines) and settlement. (cn) Emailed notice. (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

17

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Laura K. McNally: This case has been referred for discovery supervision and, if requested, settlement assistance. Rule 26(a)(1) disclosures shall be exchanged by 1/23/26. Fact discovery will close 11/13/26. A schedule for expert discovery will be set, if needed, closer to the end of fact discovery. Turning to the pending motion for preliminary injunction 8, briefing is underway 10, and the parties have not indicated that they are seeking interim discovery targeted toward the issues raised in that motion. Accordingly, the Court will not set interim dates for preliminary injunction-related discovery. The parties should notify the Court if they are seeking discovery relating to 8 . A joint status report is to be filed by 3/18/26. (rbf, ) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

18

MOTION by Defendants Pamela Bondi, Gregory Bovino, Marcos Charles, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Russell Hott, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, Rodney S Scott, Donald J Trump, US Attorney for extension of time to respond to motion for preliminary injunction and complaint (unopposed) Presented before District Judge (Terman, Sarah) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

19

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Robert W. Gettleman: Defendants' unopposed Motion For More Time To Respond To The Motion For Preliminary Injunction And To Answer Or Otherwise Plead 18 is granted. Defendants' responsive pleading due 1/23/2026. The briefing schedule set on 12/11/2025 10 is modified as follows: defendants' response to plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction due 1/23/2026; plaintiffs' reply due 1/30/2026. In court hearing remains set for 2/12/2026 at 10:00 a.m. Emailed notice (cn). (Entered: 01/17/2026)

Jan. 17, 2026

Jan. 17, 2026

20

RESPONSE by Pamela Bondi, Gregory Bovino, Marcos Charles, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Russell Hott, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, Rodney S Scott, Donald J Trump, US Attorney to MOTION by Plaintiffs Dennis Berry, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Larry Dowling, Jeremy Midura, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz for preliminary injunction 8 (Terman, Sarah) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

21

MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Defendants Pamela Bondi, Gregory Bovino, Marcos Charles, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Russell Hott, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, Rodney S Scott, Donald J Trump, US Attorney Presented before District Judge (Terman, Sarah) (Entered: 01/23/2026)

Jan. 23, 2026

Jan. 23, 2026

22

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Jan. 28, 2026

Jan. 28, 2026

23

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 19, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership--a faith-based non-profit organization.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (- United States (national) -), Federal

U.S. Department of Justice (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

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

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Free Exercise Clause

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:25-cv-14168

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination