Mar 18, 2025 · In Greek and Roman times, fugitives sought sanctuary in temples. Early Christian churches began offering their own protections. By the end of the fourth century, sanctuary was part of Roman law, making it illegal for the secular authorities to remove even a murder suspect who faced the death penalty.

Feb 17, 2025 · In past years, houses of worship across the United States have provided sanctuary to immigrants at risk of deportation. Now, the idea is that inside a church, someone is safer from federal...

Apr 18, 2019 · Murder and theft were the most common crimes for which fugitives sought sanctuary in medieval Europe. Once a fugitive entered a cathedral, their pursuers could lie in wait for them outside,...

Jun 21, 2023 · A group of undocumented immigrants who sought sanctuary in churches to avoid deportation has reached a settlement with the Biden administration that will allow the women to stay in the U.S., at...

Mar 18, 2025 · DENVER ‒ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have detained a Denver-area grandmother who gained prominence during the first Trump administration for taking sanctuary in churches...

Jan 28, 2025 · The “sanctuary” movement goes back to the 1980s when Central American refugees fled civil war and immigrated to the U.S. When they were denied asylum, they sought protection from deportation in churches and other places of worship.

May 18, 2019 · Sanctuary was seen as a time for a criminal to heal his or her relationship with God, and included conversion for non-Christians who sought sanctuary. The most common crimes for which fugitives...

Mar 25, 2025 · (NPR) — Under the Trump administration, churches are now thinking more expansively about the concept of sanctuary to include migrants who fear that new policies could suddenly make them...

Jun 10, 2014 · After a month of seeking sanctuary in a Tucson church, a Mexican immigrant has been granted a one-year stay of his deportation order. Daniel Neyoy Ruiz, 36, had been ordered to leave the U.S....

Jul 9, 2018 · Vicky Chavez, a Honduran woman who has been living in a Utah church with her two daughters after her appeal to have her asylum case reconsidered was denied said she will remain living at the...