Religious groups offer sanctuary to immigrants targeted in ICE raids

Religious groups and activists vowed Wednesday to offer refuge to illegal immigrants who are the targets of ongoing federal raids meant to combat a new wave of border-crossing from Central America.

The announcement recalled the sanctuary movement of the 1980s that provided safe haven to several thousand people fleeing civil wars in El Salvador and Guatemala, with churches in Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities sometimes filled with people seeking asylum in the United States.

During a news conference via telephone, a national network of immigrant groups said they are prepared to defy federal authorities who are seeking to apprehend illegal Central American immigrants. Advocates said those immigrants again are fleeing violence in their homelands, this time perpetrated by gangs engaged in drug trafficking and other crimes.

“We feel we are once again living through a nightmare,” said Alison Harrington, pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson. “Once again, human lives are at stake.”

snip----------------------

(more at link)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/religious-groups-offer-sanctuary-to-immigrants-targeted-in-ice-raids/2016/01/06/183e5dd6-b416-11e5-a76a-0b5145e8679a_story.html