The impact of recent federal policy changes.
Recent Changes
Changes were made to the ICE “Sensitive Locations Policy” on January 20, 2025. These significantly impact the status of faith communities and schools as potential “sanctuary” sites. Here’s a breakdown and suggestions for how to approach this today.
First, it is essential to note that no federal law defines or prohibits “sanctuary” policies. The term generally refers to jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. California’s “Sanctuary State” law fits this description: it limits cooperation but cannot stop valid federal enforcement of warrants.
This is the critical point: limiting cooperation with ICE is not the same as having the ability to shelter immigrants from the enforcement of valid legal warrants. Federal agents can enforce arrest warrants without hindrance. “Sanctuary” is commonly understood to mean protection from arrest.
In fact, during the last administration and before, ICE agents were instructed to avoid enforcement actions at “sensitive locations,” which included schools, places of worship, hospitals, and other areas where individuals access essential services or engage in essential activities. This was a policy, not a legal obstacle to enforcement action.
The new administration rescinded that policy on January 20. This means ICE agents are no longer restrained from making arrests at sensitive locations like places of worship and schools. They now have broader discretion to conduct enforcement actions in these locations, and a new directive gives them more leeway to determine when and where arrests are appropriate.
Implications for Faith Communities
Faith communities are no longer “safe zones” for immigrants because enforcement ultimately depends on the discretion of ICE officials. But this does not preclude faith communities from offering support, service, and solidarity.
However, many people often misunderstand the true legal reality of “sanctuary.” So, we encourage all faith communities to use the language of “support, service, and solidarity” rather than explicitly using the term “sanctuary.” We suggest consulting denominational resources, legal guidance, and recommended practices. In any case, it would be a tragic misunderstanding if our undocumented neighbors came to a place of worship believing they were safe, only to find out differently.
If ICE enters the property of a faith community, that community has the right to require a judicial warrant for entry into private areas, but not for public spaces. The faith community can also refuse to answer questions about individuals’ immigration status and are not required to help ICE locate individuals. It’s recommended to consult with legal counsel before allowing ICE agents into private areas. Many community organizations are offering “Know Your Rights” trainings, look for those to learn more.
What can faith communities do?
Sanctuary is a deeply rooted, sacred tradition guided by principles of love, protection for the vulnerable, compassion, and equality for all. Those principles can guide crucial actions that faith communities can take.
The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity makes the following suggestions for meaningful action:
- Educating and Empowering: promoting Know Your Rights information and sharing rapid response hotline numbers to equip communities with critical information.
- Providing respite: Offering houses of worship as places of respite, support, and healing during immigration raids.
- Accompanying At-Risk Communities: Supporting immigrant families in accessing fairness, due process, and basic survival.
- Offer Alternatives to Racism and Xenophobia: Promote faith values as an alternative to racist and xenophobic rhetoric: support keeping families intact, acting with compassion, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all people, and advocating for just and humane reforms.
- Training Faith Leaders: Ensuring staff in faith institutions understand their constitutional rights and are prepared to protect their communities in the case of an ICE visit or raid on their property.
For further resources on these actions, please click here.
