In the wake of the Trump administration’s cancellation of the 2011 “sensitive areas” memo yesterday; faith communities associated with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity are reaffirming their unwavering commitment to sanctuary. This commitment includes continuing to welcome immigrants and offering solidarity, support, and services regardless of immigration status.
The “Sensitive Locations Memo,” introduced during the Obama administration, advised immigration enforcement officers to avoid making arrests in places like schools and houses of worship. Despite its repeal, faith communities remain steadfast in their solidarity.
"We strongly condemn the harmful executive actions that have spread fear and perpetuated misleading narratives criminalizing and demonizing immigrants to justify mass arrests," said Rev. Deborah Lee, Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. "The truth is sanctuary policies keep communities safer and immigrants being targeted, including those who are legal permanent residents and already served decades of prison, are essential members of our families and communities. We believe in the power of transformation and firmly oppose the painful separation of families and the forced deportation of individuals to places they hardly know
The Sacred Tradition of Sanctuary Across Faith
Sanctuary is a deeply rooted, sacred tradition guided by principles of love, protection for the vulnerable, compassion, and equality for all. It's history spans critical movements, from the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery to providing refuge for Central American migrants fleeing violence and supporting mixed-status families facing deportation in the past two decades.
“Our faiths compel us to prevent harm and honor the sanctity of families, communities, and human life,” said Rev. Dr. Tovis Page, Co-Minister of the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo and Program Director of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. “This is especially critical today, as immigrant communities endure mass arrests, racial targeting, and the spread of fear and animus.”
“Faith communities have practiced sanctuary long before the 2011 memo,” added Rev. Allison Tanner. “Our commitment to welcome, dignity, and inclusion remains steadfast. Political intimidation will not deter us. We will continue to find creative and transformative ways to uphold the sacred practice of sanctuary.”
Rabbi Dev Noily of Kehilla Community Synagogue echoes this sentiment. “The Torah teaches that ‘...when an immigrant comes to live with you in your land, you should not wrong them. You should treat the immigrant who lives with you as one of your citizens. And you should love them as yourself: for you were immigrants in the land of Egypt.’ (Leviticus 19:33-34) No action of intimidation will deter us from standing alongside our immigrant neighbors!.”
“Our sacred texts value the dignity and well being of every person. It is immoral that these policies of mass detention and mass deportation are enriching the pockets of for-profit detention centers whose stocks are soaring, while immigrant families who feed this nation, provide care and keep this nation running will suffer immensely,” said Sister Joan O’Donnell from the Sisters of Mercy Western Region. A Renewed Commitment to Solidarity
A Renewed Commitment to Solidarity
The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is rallying faith communities to take meaningful action, including:
- Educating and Empowering: promoting Know Your Rights information and sharing rapid response hotline numbers to equip communities with critical information.
- Providing Safe Spaces: Offering houses of worship as places of respite, safety, and healing during immigration raids.
- Accompanying At-Risk Communities: Supporting immigrant families in accessing fairness, due process, and basic survival.
- Denouncing Racism and Xenophobia: Rejecting family separations and mass detentions fueled by racist and xenophobic rhetoric.
- Training Faith Leaders: Ensuring staff in faith institutions understand their constitutional rights and are prepared to protect their communities in the case of an ICE visit or raid on their property.
“This is a pivotal moment to renew our commitment to sanctuary in its myriad forms”, Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco affirmed. “Sanctuary is about advocacy, accompaniment, and standing together in unity. It’s about listening to those who are most vulnerable and finding ways to love and be present to our neighbors. To be clear, no political action can extinguish our commitment to love, justice, and the protection of all people.”
A Call to Action: Join the Sanctuary Movement
Faith communities are invited to join the #SanctuaryPeople network a movement engaging in public witness, advocacy, and rapid response efforts to protect immigrant neighbors. View more resources about Know Your Rights, how to be engaged in Sanctuary. Stay tuned for a public faith action in February. For more information contact [email protected].
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity is a statewide California organization that works for the dignity and full inclusion of immigrants and people impacted by incarceration. We believe that all people are sacred across bars and borders.
Visit our website to learn more about us and events
www.im4humanintegrity.org
