This Day Sanctuary Churches vs Immigration Enforcement [2025 Favorite]
Dec 25, 2025
Explore the bold move of a Tucson church declaring sanctuary for immigrants in 1980, defying U.S. law. Unpack the roots of the church sanctuary movement, driven by U.S.-backed conflicts in Central America. Discover how liberation theology connected faith communities and prompted moral action. Delve into the convictions of leaders like Reverend John Fife amid growing federal scrutiny. Reflect on the resilience of the movement and its lasting impact on religious progressivism and human rights.
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Church Declares Public Sanctuary
- The Tucson church publicly declared sanctuary for Central Americans amid regional violence and U.S. intervention in the 1980s.
- That declaration sparked a broader sanctuary movement linking faith communities to refugee protection.
Policy Contradictions Drove Local Action
- Central American civil wars and U.S. support for regimes drove refugees north while asylum rules and enforcement created barriers.
- Those policy contradictions pushed local communities and churches to respond outside official channels.
John Fife's Move From Aid To Sanctuary
- After 13 Salvadoran asylum seekers died in 1980, Reverend John Fife launched legal aid efforts for refugees in Tucson.
- He worked within asylum law but, after two years and no successes, moved toward direct sanctuary measures.