sanctuary city

American  

[sangk-choo-er-ee sit-ee] / ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr i ˌsɪt i /

noun

1. a city in which the local government and police protect undocumented immigrants and refugees from deportation by federal authorities.

   sanctuary cities where law enforcement cannot question crime suspects about their immigration status.

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Etymology

Origin of sanctuary city

First recorded in 1865–70 in the sense “place of immunity from arrest”; the current sense, in 1980–85; possibly related to “Cities of Refuge” named in the Bible in the books of Joshua, Deuteronomy, and Numbers

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sanctuary city

I asked if San Jose was a sanctuary city.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 1, 2026

If an individual has been convicted of a serious or violent defense, then the New York City sanctuary city laws instruct cooperation with ICE.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2025

Santa Ana, long synonymous with undocumented immigrants, which declared itself a sanctuary city all the way back in 2016 and has a deportation defense fund for residents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2025

Many local politicians, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the state's governor, JB Pritzker, have continued to back sanctuary city laws, dubbed the "Welcoming City" ordinance here.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2025

For example, Los Angeles could benefit from a citizens assembly on immigration to reinforce its 40-plus-year tradition as a sanctuary city, going back to conservative police chief Daryl Gates.

From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2024