Philadelphia's Longstanding Role in Supporting Undocumented Immigrants Through Sanctuary Churches

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:16:00 +0200

Philadelphia has a 40-year history of providing sanctuary to undocumented immigrants, beginning with religious congregations sheltering refugees from El Salvador during the 1980s civil war. Ernesto and Linda Fuentes, activists who faced government persecution, found refuge at Tabernacle United Church in West Philadelphia in 1984, joining a broader network of churches offering sanctuary across the U.S. The city has alternated between sanctuary and welcoming city policies, with local leaders like Mayor Michael Nutter and Mayor Jim Kenney navigating federal pressure from the Trump administration. Philadelphia has resisted ICE enforcement actions through lawsuits and policy measures, maintaining its support for immigrants. The sanctuary movement has roots in the 1960s, initially aiding U.S. draft resisters during the Vietnam War, and later evolved to protect Central American refugees. Programs like the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 offered pathways to citizenship, while strict