Skip to content
Active U.S. Courts of Appeals

Union Gospel Mission of Yakima v. Ferguson

WA homeless shelter files suit to protect its freedom to hire likeminded people of faith

Washington state officials try to punish religious nonprofits like Yakima Union Gospel Mission for hiring only those who share and live out their religious beliefs

Summary

The Washington Supreme Court recently reinterpreted state law to prohibit religious organizations, including Yakima Union Gospel Mission, from only hiring individuals who share and live out its religious beliefs. State officials are threatening the mission with significant penalties for using its constitutionally protected right to hire employees who share and live the ministry’s religious beliefs.

Additional Resources

Case Profiles

Image
Ryan Tucker
Ryan Tucker
Senior Counsel, Director of the Center for Christian Ministries
Ryan Tucker serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Christian Ministries with Alliance Defending Freedom.
Image
Jacob Reed
Jacob Reed
Legal Counsel
Jacob Reed serves as legal counsel for the Center for Christian Ministries with Alliance Defending Freedom. Reed litigates on behalf of churches, Christian ministries, and religious schools to defend their constitutionally protected rights under the First Amendment.