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

A federal judge on Tuesday struck down parts of a Florida law aimed at banning local governments from establishing sanctuary city policies, arguing in part that the law is racially motivated and that it has the support of hate groups.

From Axios

Defunding Planned Parenthood and sanctuary cities on day one.

From Washington Post

The only significance of “sanctuary cities” is on the question of whether police are allowed to cooperate with immigration enforcement agents.

From Voice of San Diego

California’s so-called sanctuary city and private prison laws are back in the spotlight.

From Voice of San Diego