January 29, 2026
Capitol Police arrest 54 faith leaders at Hart Senate Building protesting ICE policies
60+ faith leaders arrested at Hart Senate Building during ICE policy protest
✊Civil Rights🛂Immigration🏢Legislative Process
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.
Bishop Dwayne Royster, executive director of Faith in Action, was among those arrested. Faith in Action is a national interfaith organizing network founded 51 years ago, with federations in 46 states. Royster previously served as executive director of POWER Interfaith in Pennsylvania for a decade, where he led campaigns for school funding equity and wage increases.
Capitol Police warned demonstrators three times to leave before making arrests. Those who refused were charged with violating D.C. Code § 22-1307, which bans crowding, obstructing, or incommoding after being instructed to stop by law enforcement. Violators face misdemeanor charges with penalties up to $500 in fines and 90 days in jail.
The protest came amid nationwide anti-ICE organizing following two shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. On Jan. 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Renee Good during an immigration raid. On Jan. 24, CBP agents shot Alex Pretti during a protest outside a Minneapolis church. Both victims were U.S. citizens.
Faith in Action released a statement saying 'powerful faith leaders took action in the halls of the U.S. Senate' and described ICE as 'terrorizing' immigrant communities. The group called for Congress to restrict funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the Department of Homeland Security budget.
The FY 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides $11 billion for ICE, an increase of nearly $1 billion over previous levels. The Trump administration's reconciliation bill added $30 billion for ICE operations and $45 billion for detention facilities, representing a 400% increase in the detention budget.
Just days before the Hart Senate protest, more than 600 clergy from various faiths gathered in Minneapolis for a resistance training conference organized by Multifaith Antiracism, Change and Healing (MARCH). Attendees wore 'Abolish ICE' shirts and learned tactics for obstructing federal immigration enforcement. Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and Rev. Sofia Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, attended.
Support for abolishing ICE has surged since the Minnesota shootings. A Civiqs poll found that as of Jan. 2026, 46% of Americans support abolishing ICE, while 43% oppose. In Aug. 2024, support was just 20% with 66% opposed.
✊Civil Rights🛂Immigration🏢Legislative Process
People, bills, and sources
Bishop Dwayne Royster
Executive Director, Faith in Action
U.S. Capitol Police
Law enforcement agency protecting Congress
Faith in Action
National interfaith organizing network
Renee Good
Minneapolis resident, shooting victim
Alex Pretti
ICU nurse, shooting victim
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact your senators about ICE funding
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.
2
learning more
Learn the legal limits of Capitol protest
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.
3
understanding
Track ICE funding in appropriations process
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.