US churches defy government by offering sanctuary to undocumented migrants

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Hilda and Ivan Ramirez have taken sanctuary at a church in Texas “We think it is our duty to show welcome and support to those in need,” said Pastor Noel Anderson, a coordinator with the non-profit group Church World Service. “These are all values that are passed on in our faith traditions.” The so-called New Sanctuary campaign echoes the civil disobedience efforts led by US churches during the 1980s and 1990s, when Christian communities stepped in to provide help to thousands of Salvadorans and Guatemalans fleeing the violence of civil wars. “We call him the deporter-in-chief,” said Ravi Ragbir, an activist with New York’s Judson Memorial Church, an historic congregation located next to Washington Park Square. We are saying that if they are breaking up families, then its immoral.” open image in gallery New York’s Judson Memorial Church is one of hundreds across the country helping immigrants Among the most recent churches to have joined the grass-roots effort was St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Austin, Texas.