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.

Those working in the Sanctuary Movement became aware of the need to support their fellow workers who were arrested. An Interim Committee met in Chicago in August 1984 to form a support fund and a Board to maintain it. The purpose of what they called the National Public Sanctuary Defense Fund was "to provide resources, financial and human, to facilitate the strengthening of a domestic movement working in solidarity with Central American peoples to stop U.S. economic and military support for repressive regimes in Central America" (Report, 8/12/84, Box 1 File Folder 4). An Interim Board then met in Tucson, Arizona, in September 1984. Members represented a wide range of Sanctuary groups throughout the U.S. Gus Schultz, pastor of the University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley, CA, was appointed Chair. The discussion centered on the understanding that "Sanctuary was beginning to be defined by court cases and attorneys rather than by Sanctuary churches" (Minutes, 9/21/84, Box 1 File Folder 4). The American Friends Service Committee was asked to be the fiscal agent for the fund, but they agreed to be temporary only until a permanent agent could be found. The proposal which came out of the meeting declared: "The purpose of the National Public Sanctuary Defense Fund is to solicit, receive, and allocate Funds" according to criteria that defendants should be either sanctuary workers or refugees, cases will have "the greatest potentiality for furthering opposition to unjust immigration policies regarding Central American refugees," and defendants be willing to have the case used publicly to strengthen the Sanctuary Movement (Proposal, undated, Box 1 File Folder 4).

Thomas (Tom) Ambrogi was appointed the fund Administrator (also referred to as Coordinator) in March 1985. That same year the Franciscan Friars of California agreed to be the fund's fiscal agent. Funds began to be raised and allocated. Throughout NSDF's existence, funds were raised through direct mailings, from church bodies, denominations, and foundations, and through events such as art shows and concerts. Performers for the concerts included Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt. Application guidelines were developed and allocations made throughout the years to sanctuary groups across the U.S.

Penny Deleray assumed the duties of Coordinator in mid-1986. She was followed in this position by Board member Eileen Purcell in 1991. Purcell, who continued as a Board member, was replaced by Andrea Lampros in 1992. Tessa Rouverol became Interim Director in November 1993 while Lampros continued on the staff. The last Director listed is Laura Castellanos del Valle beginning January 1996. Gus Schultz continued through the years as Board member, later as President.

By 1990, it was clear that the need for a legal defense fund in the Sanctuary Movement was not so pressing. There were fewer arrests and no trials as political and military policies and situations changed both in the U.S. and Central America. It became increasingly difficult to raise funds. In December 1990, NSDF became a non-profit corporation. When tax exempt 501(c)(3) status was received in 1993, they ended the fiscal relationship with the Franciscan Friars with great thanks and gratitude. NSDF began to look at new directions, redefining the mission, and diversifying the allocations. The mission began to shift toward human rights and immigration issues, particularly Guatemalan and, beginning 1993, Haitian.

The projects which grew from the mission shift included co-sponsorship with the Graduate Theological Union and the University of San Francisco of Jean Bertrand Aristide's visit to Berkeley, 1994; political organizing around the California ballot Proposition 187 on immigration, 1994; planning and participating in the interfaith human rights events around the 50th anniversary of signing the U.N. charter, 1995; as well as producing educational materials, participating in conferences, and monitoring state and national legislation.

Continued changes in the political climate and situations brought more changes to NSDF. The Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, which began as a program of NSDF in 1995, by 1997 incorporated as a separate organization. In 1999, the National Sanctuary Defense Fund corporation name was changed to the Monsignor Romero Foundation to continue work in the spirit of the Sanctuary Movement.

From the guide to the National Sanctuary Defense Fund records, 1984-1996, (The Graduate Theological Union. Library.)