OPINION:
You’ve surely heard of sanctuary cities and sanctuary houses of worship, places where law enforcers generally tread lightly. Well, welcome a cottage industry: sanctuary homes.
Many of the homes are in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and are being purchased to hide and protect illegal and undocumented immigrants and their families from federal law enforcers. The network is organized by religious leaders.
In one such home, the premises are being prepared for three families. In another, a Jewish man recently told CNN he has set up a bedroom in his own home to not only hide undocumented aliens but to secure himself as well, since the Fourth Amendment grants protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. The man said he would not voluntarily allow immigration into his home but he would comply with a warrant.
This new network is mindful in one sense of the Underground Railroad that William Still helped to conduct and lead black slaves and freed African Americans to the “promised land.” His chronicle during the 19th century aided in connecting and reconnecting families along the immense secretive network once they reached safety.
The latter-day network also is aligned with the wrenching 20th century story of young German diarist Anne Frank, who, along with her family, had to hide from the Jew-killing Nazis.
The anti-Trump fear factor leads the way today. This despite the fact that God-fearing state and local authorities could risk losing millions in federal funds that actually benefit illegal and legal immigrants alike, including public safety and housing programs.
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