New Sanctuary Movement

New Sanctuary Movement is a coalition of interfaith organizations and community groups that advocate for immigration reform and provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants in the United States. The movement is inspired by the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s, which was led by Reverend John Fife and Jim Corbett, and is supported by organizations such as the National Council of Churches, American Friends Service Committee, and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. The movement's goals are aligned with those of Immigrant Rights organizations, including the National Immigration Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Introduction

The New Sanctuary Movement is a grassroots movement that emerged in 2007, with the goal of providing a safe and supportive environment for undocumented immigrants and their families. The movement is led by faith leaders such as Rabbi Michael Lerner and Reverend Alexia Salvatierra, and is supported by organizations such as the Unitarian Universalist Association, Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Methodist Church. The movement's work is also informed by the experiences of immigrant communities and organizations such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. The movement's efforts are often compared to those of the Civil Rights Movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, which was supported by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress.

History

The New Sanctuary Movement has its roots in the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s, which was a response to the Refugee Act of 1980 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. The movement was led by faith leaders such as Reverend John Fife and Jim Corbett, and was supported by organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and the Mennonite Central Committee. The movement's work was also influenced by the experiences of Central American refugees and organizations such as the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador and the Nicaragua Solidarity Network. The New Sanctuary Movement was launched in 2007, with a national gathering in Los Angeles, which was attended by faith leaders and activists from across the United States, including Dolores Huerta and Cornel West. The movement has since grown to include over 100 sanctuary cities and sanctuary congregations across the United States, including New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Principles and Practices

The New Sanctuary Movement is guided by a set of principles that emphasize the importance of compassion, justice, and human dignity. The movement's practices include providing sanctuary to undocumented immigrants, advocating for immigration reform, and educating the public about the issues facing immigrant communities. The movement is also committed to nonviolence and civil disobedience, and has been influenced by the work of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.. The movement's work is supported by organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless and the Catholic Charities USA, and is aligned with the goals of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee.

Organizations and Affiliations

The New Sanctuary Movement is a coalition of interfaith organizations and community groups that work together to advocate for immigration reform and provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. The movement's organizations include the National Council of Churches, American Friends Service Committee, and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. The movement is also affiliated with organizations such as the Unitarian Universalist Association, Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Methodist Church, and has partnerships with community organizations such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. The movement's work is also supported by foundations such as the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, and is aligned with the goals of the Human Rights Campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Impact and Controversies

The New Sanctuary Movement has had a significant impact on the immigration debate in the United States, and has been credited with helping to shift the national conversation around immigration reform. The movement's work has also been the subject of controversy, with some critics arguing that the movement's practices are illegal or unconstitutional. The movement has been supported by elected officials such as Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, and has been recognized by awards such as the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. The movement's work is also aligned with the goals of the United Nations and the International Labor Organization, and has been influenced by the work of human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Notable Cases and Events

The New Sanctuary Movement has been involved in several notable cases and events over the years, including the case of Elvira Arellano, a Mexican immigrant who took sanctuary in a Chicago church to avoid deportation. The movement has also been involved in protests and demonstrations around the United States, including the 2006 immigration reform protests and the 2017 Women's March. The movement's work has been recognized by media outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has been the subject of documentaries such as The Sanctuary and The Immigration Battle. The movement's efforts are also aligned with those of other social justice movements, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and have been supported by influential figures such as Angela Davis and Noam Chomsky. Category:Social movements