sanctuary city

[sangk-choo-er-ee sit-ee]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctuary city¹

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

Washington, D.C., has been a sanctuary city since 2020, where law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials was broadly prohibited.

From Salon

He might try to say that the fact that there are sanctuary city policies somehow interferes with the execution of federal law.

From Slate

Several cities and counties across the country have adopted sanctuary city policies, but specifics as to what extent they’re willing — or unwilling — to do for federal immigration officials have varied.

From Los Angeles Times

Department of Justice in June sued Los Angeles, and local officials, alleging its sanctuary city law is “illegal.”

From Los Angeles Times

The suit alleged that the city was looking to “thwart the will of the American people regarding deportations” by enacting sanctuary city policies.

From Los Angeles Times