Capitol Police arrest 54 faith leaders demanding ICE defunding after citizen deaths
More than 60 religious leaders arrested calling for ICE accountability after Minnesota killings
U.S
Capitol Police arrested more than 60 faith leaders inside the Hart Senate Office Building on Jan. 29, 2026
The demonstrators sat on the floor in the building's atrium carrying banners that read 'Do Justice, Love kindness, Abolish ICE.' They sang religious songs while seated A Capitol Police spokesperson confirmed that 'it is against the law' to demonstrate inside congressional buildings.
Key Concepts
Essential concepts and terms to understand this topic
Right to Assemble
First Amendment protection for people to gather in groups for protest or advocacy.
Symbolic Speech
Nonverbal conduct that expresses ideas, protected by the First Amendment as speech.
Immigration Sanctuary Cities
Jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Sanctuary City
Cities that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents to protect residents from ICE enforcement.
Social Media Surveillance
Government monitoring of individuals' social media accounts and posts for enforcement purposes.
Key People
5BD
Bishop Dwayne Royster
Executive Director, Faith in Action
Led and was arrested during the Hart Senate Building protest. Royster is an experienced community organizer who built POWER Interfaith in Pennsylvania over a decade. He describes his mission as 'redesign America and the world so that our societies work for all people, no exceptions.' He also leads the Society for Faith and Justice and serves as Senior Pastor of Faith United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C.
UC
U.S. Capitol Police
Law enforcement agency protecting Congress
Arrested 54 demonstrators after warning them three times to stop demonstrating. Capitol Police enforce the law banning protests inside congressional buildings. Protesters were charged with D.C. Code § 22-1307 and processed at Capitol Police headquarters across the street from the Hart Building.
FI
Faith in Action
National interfaith organizing network
Organized the protest and released statements describing ICE as 'terrorizing' communities. The organization operates federations in 46 states and has existed for 51 years. It called for Congress to restrict ICE funding in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.
RG
Renee Good
Minneapolis resident, shooting victim
Shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7, 2026, during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. Good's shooting catalyzed national protests against Operation Metro Surge and contributed to the faith leaders' decision to demonstrate at the Capitol.
AP
Alex Pretti
ICU nurse, shooting victim
Shot and killed by CBP agents on Jan. 24, 2026, during a protest in Minneapolis. Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital. His death, five days before the Hart Senate protest, intensified calls to defund ICE.
What you can do
Contact your senators about ICE funding
civic action
Ask your senators how they voted on the FY 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill and whether they support the $11 billion allocated to ICE. Request a meeting to discuss immigration enforcement oversight.
Learn the legal limits of Capitol protest
learning more
Review D.C. Code § 22-1307 to understand what conduct is prohibited in congressional buildings and what penalties protesters face. Capitol Police typically issue three warnings before arresting demonstrators.
Track ICE funding in appropriations process
understanding
Monitor the FY 2026 Homeland Security appropriations bill and any reconciliation bills that include ICE funding. The Congressional Budget Office and appropriations committees publish funding details.