Historical Context of Sanctuary Policies

San Francisco's sanctuary policies emerged in response to an influx of refugees from Central American civil wars during the 1980s, when the U.S. government was reluctant to recognize them as asylum seekers. At that time, there was an open collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, often allowing federal officials access to jails for records. A pivotal moment occurred in 1989 with a controversial immigration raid at Club Elegante, a popular dance venue, which galvanized community outrage and highlighted the vulnerabilities of undocumented immigrants. This event prompted local leaders to reassess their role in immigration enforcement and laid the groundwork for the sanctuary policies aimed at protecting their communities from federal intervention.