sanctuary city
/ˈsæŋk.tʃuː.ri ˈsɪ.ti/ · san·ctu·ry ci·ty
noun
- A city that adopts policies or ordinances that limit cooperation with national immigration authorities in order to protect undocumented immigrants from detention or deportation. After the city council voted to become a sanctuary city, local police stopped honoring ICE detainer requests.
- More generally, any municipality that declares itself a safe haven for vulnerable populations, offering protection from external legal actions. The mayor announced that the town would join the network of sanctuary cities across the state.
Synonyms
refuge citysafe‑haven cityasylum cityprotective municipalitywelcoming citysanctuary jurisdictionimmigrant‑friendly cityhaven city
Antonyms
Did you know? The term "sanctuary city" was first popularized in the 1980s by the Sanctuary Movement, which provided shelter to Central American refugees fleeing civil wars, long before it entered mainstream U.S. political discourse.