Are churches a place of sanctuary from ICE detentions?
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Following President Donald Trump’s executive order that federal immigration authorities can conduct arrests at sensitive locations, some may wonder if churches can offer sanctuary from detention.
Historically churches have offered sanctuary to people in need according to History.com however there have been some changes to the practice in recent years.
The Baptist Joint Committee is a faith-based group that works to advocate for and against varying legislation in Washington. Analysts from BJC say “sanctuary” is not a legal term and there are no legal protections for religious institutions that offer refuge for the undocumented community.
Despite this, churches and congregations can make individual decisions to provide sanctuary while considering the practical and legal details of doing so, according to the BJC’s guidance.
Religious institutions such as the BJC, The Episcopal Diocese of New York and the New Sanctuary Coalition have issued guidance for ministries that may decide to provide sanctuary for the undocumented community.
Legally, ICE agents cannot enter private spaces such as churches without a warrant signed by a federal judge, legal analysts from the BJC say.
According to the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, if ICE agents detain a person, the individual maintains the right to call an attorney or loved ones and can request an interpreter for any conversations with agents.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.