National Sanctuary Defense Fund.

Biography / Administrative History

Growing political and military ferment in Central America in the 1970s caused people to flee their countries, particularly El Salvador and Guatemala. U.S. churches of all denominations became acutely aware of the situation after the assassination of El Salvador's Archbishop Oscar Romero in March 1980. Individual congregations began to assist Central American refugees escaping the oppression and violence by seeking asylum in the U.S. The U.S. government, due to its policies in Central America and concerning asylum, did not recognize El Salvadorans or Guatemalans as qualifying for refugee status, deporting those who were caught. The churches understanding of Sanctuary and aiding the oppressed conflicted with U.S. law. By 1984, not only Central Americans were being detained, U.S. citizens who aided them were being arrested and indicted on various charges.

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