Mille Lacs County in Minnesota fined and jailed members of two Amish congregations. 

In 2022, the county moved its building-code application process completely online and refused to make any accommodations for several months.    

After reinstating paper forms, the county charged a $50 fee for those applications, which almost exclusively affected the Amish. The county also refuses to issue permits unless the Amish compromise their religious beliefs to satisfy modern requirements. 

Many in the community have faced civil and criminal charges after they proceeded to build their homes and businesses. One member was even convicted and jailed. 

“The county is clearly discriminating against the Amish, refusing to provide means of religious accommodation,” said First Liberty Senior Counsel Ryan Gardner. “The Amish merely want to provide for their families by building their homes and businesses in accordance with their faith, but the county is making that simple goal virtually impossible.” 

First Liberty sent a demand letter to the county making it clear that forcing the Amish community to choose between shelter and their religious convictions is unconstitutional. We’re asking them for an opportunity to meet and begin working toward a resolution. 

The county has until September 8th to respond.

North Texas Giving Day is only two weeks away! 
 
Every day, Americans continue to face discrimination because of their faith. People like Paige Rogers, who, just like Coach Kennedy, lost her job for staying true to her faith. 
 
Because you give, she doesn't have to stand alone. First Liberty is standing beside her, providing the best possible legal representation—completely free of charge.  
 
Because of faithful supporters like you, First Liberty has achieved an 11–0 record at the U.S. Supreme Court and a 90% win rate across all legal matters. 
 
Early giving for North Texas Giving Day is already here.  
 
Through September 17, the impact of your gift will be doubled through our $100,000 Matching Grant. 

We received a tremendous outpouring of support in our case involving leaders of a Native American church who simply want to worship as they have for centuries.  

A redevelopment project threatens to destroy a sacred religious site on the San Antonio river. If they do so, the church cannot perform its religious services, and it will destroy their religious exercise. 

We’re asking the U.S. Supreme Court to protect our clients’ constitutional rights by applying the rigorous legal standards that apply when a government substantially burdens a religious community’s beliefs.  

A broad coalition of organizations filed friend-of-the-court briefs urging the Court to take up the case, highlight how important this case is for religious liberty, particularly for minority faiths.

“We are grateful for the support from these diverse organizations who understand the importance of protecting religious liberty for everyone,” said Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel for First Liberty.