Sanctuary Networks

In light of heightened immigration enforcement, the term ‘sanctuary’ has been increasingly popular in the media and amongst immigration rights advocates. This article defines sanctuary as a range of policies adopted by public and private entities which seek to limit participation in federal immigration enforcement practices to engage in deliberate non-cooperation with immigration policy. The article offers a concise overview of the history of the sanctuary movement and explores how concepts of sanctuary have evolved in the context of hyper-enforcement within immigration policy. 

Local and state authorities, religious organizations, universities, and private companies often form a decentralized network of actors to utilize various legal and social mechanisms in order to shield undocumented individuals from federal immigration enforcement. For example, local law enforcement often refuses to enforce immigration policies on behalf of the federal government. These acts of noncooperation by local police with federal policy have resulted in debate over the role of states rights in federal immigration enforcement and the constitutionality of the executive branch’s ability to remove funding from sanctuary cities.

In addition, churches and religious organizations, often legally protected by religious freedom of expression and private property laws, have the ability to provide accommodations and protections to undocumented immigrants and ultimately possess influence over immigration policy.  This article finds that these layered networks of actors have a profound impact on immigration enforcement and explores the ways in which these entities shape norms even in “anti-sanctuary” communities. 

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