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.

The draft is three weeks away now. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have pieced together an off-season that is earning widespread praise across the league. The question is whether they can stick the landing with their 1st round pick in the draft. Current projections have the top three picks likely being a mix of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. After that, it gets tricky. People in Chicago want to know where running back Ashton Jeanty will end once the dust settles.

Widespread belief has been that the Las Vegas Raiders are the heavy favorites to take him at 6th overall, with New Orleans at #9 also being a possibility. It makes sense. Las Vegas’ best option right now is a 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. New Orleans knows Alvin Kamara turns 30 in July. Both teams need to think about the future at that position. Both have head coaches who like to run the ball. One thing is clear. A source told SM that those around the league believe one thing is certain.

“He likely won’t get passed Chicago if he falls that far.”

Ashton Jeanty is a strong probability for the Bears.

Whispers from Halas Hall indicate they love the Boise State star. It isn’t hard to see why. He nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024, nearly winning the Heisman in the process. The guy carried his team to the college football playoffs. He’s built like a brick house with power, speed, contact balance, and vision. There aren’t any truly glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. The Bears haven’t had a back of that caliber since Matt Forte.

Try to imagine what this offense could look like with Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet all as options for quarterback Caleb Williams. Throw all of it into Johnson’s offense, and you can understand why some people around the league aren’t wild about the idea. They are quietly hoping Jeanty goes somewhere else. One thing is certain. If he gets past the Raiders, the noise will get loud in a hurry. It would mark the first time in 20 years the Bears have taken a running back in the 1st round.