1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to demand answers regarding reports that the Department of Homeland Security conducted undercover surveillance inside churches in Minnesota and Michigan. Federal court records reportedly show DHS agents entered churches undercover, secretly recorded activities, monitored gatherings, and collected information such as vehicle license plates. Why is the United States government surveilling churches? The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and association. A church does not become a legitimate surveillance target simply because its clergy or members oppose government policy, advocate for immigrants, or participate in political protest. Congress should immediately determine: Who authorized these surveillance operations? What legal authority was used? Which churches and other houses of worship have been surveilled? What information was collected on clergy, members, and visitors? Was constitutionally protected religious or political activity used to justify surveillance? Were any federal court orders violated? I am asking you to demand a congressional investigation, preservation of all DHS records related to these operations, and an independent review by the DHS Inspector General. This should not be partisan. No administration—Republican or Democratic—should be permitted to send federal agents into houses of worship simply because it disagrees with the beliefs or advocacy occurring there. Americans should not have to wonder whether the person sitting beside them in church is a federal agent sent there because their government disapproves of what their congregation believes. Please tell me what you are doing to obtain answers and protect Americans from government surveillance of constitutionally protected religious activity.