The Sanctuary Movement's Origins

The sanctuary movement in the United States began in response to the influx of Salvadoran migrants fleeing civil unrest in the 1980s. Reverend John Fyfe, a Tucson pastor, first became involved when he encountered survivors of a deadly desert migration attempt. These individuals shared harrowing accounts of violence and threats from death squads, prompting Fyfe to learn about the socio-political turmoil in El Salvador. His church soon turned into a refuge, providing shelter and care to many Central American migrants seeking safety in the U.S.