Do Sanctuary Spaces Matter in Contemporary Immigrant Rights Work?

Immigrant rights advocates propose sanctuary as a framework for immigrant inclusion while conservatives have countered with legislation, lawsuits, and rhetoric. But what does sanctuary mean for immigrants and community members who embrace the concept? What are practical tools drawn from sanctuary that shape welcoming communities in the U.S., and how can they evolve to account for new realities? Using scholarly writings, first-person accounts, gray literature, periodicals, and multimedia resources, we will examine sanctuary. We will also engage with theorists and practitioners conceptualizing and applying sanctuary to community-engaged work.