In New York City, faith-based groups are actively preparing for a potential increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, mirroring similar concerns seen in Minnesota. This preparation comes amid ongoing opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Historical Roots of Sanctuary

The current efforts build upon a long history of resistance to deportation, dating back to the 1980s when an interfaith social justice movement emerged to protect undocumented refugees. This movement, inspired by the Underground Railroad, laid the foundation for the sanctuary cities seen nationwide.

Recent ICE Activity and Concerns

Recent events, including ICE agents stationed at airports during the partial government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding, have heightened anxieties. Protests continue following the deaths of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter, and Silvero Villegas Gonzalez, all attributed to ICE actions.

Faith Communities Respond

“People’s lives are already on the line,” said Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, executive director at the Interfaith Center of New York. “The idea that we are exempt from the hate and cruelty…because we’re people of faith is quite the opposite. We are called to stand with the vulnerable.”

The Interfaith Center is advocating for legislation to prevent collaboration between local police and ICE, extending sanctuary protections across New York State. Councilmember Shahana Hanif emphasized the tangible support faith communities are providing, including “Know Your Rights” trainings and safe spaces.

Providing Safe Haven and Resources

“In the face of fear and uncertainty, our faith leaders are choosing to organize, protect, and show up for one another,” Hanif stated. Rt. Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, 17th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, affirmed their dedication to “creating safety and reclaiming our shared humanity.”

New York City's Sanctuary Policies

While New York City doesn’t have a formal legal designation as a sanctuary city, existing policies aim to provide public services regardless of immigration status and limit cooperation with federal immigration officers. These policies restrict ICE access to spaces like houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, himself an immigrant, has vowed to protect fellow New Yorkers. The city’s right-to-shelter law, established in 1984, further extends protections to those experiencing homelessness.

Echoes of the 1980s Sanctuary Movement

The current situation echoes the 1980s Sanctuary Movement, which saw churches providing refuge to refugees fleeing civil wars in El Salvador and Guatemala. This movement involved civil disobedience, as harboring undocumented immigrants violated federal law. Operation Sojourner, a ten-month investigation, led to the trials of organizers in 1985 and 1986.

Despite the risks, organizers created networks of safe houses and churches, helping refugees travel towards Canada. As Lloyd D. Barba, assistant professor of Religion at Amherst College, noted, the movement drew inspiration from the 19th-century Underground Railroad and figures like Archbishop Óscar Romero.