Episode #12
Sanctuary: How an Ancient Idea Became a Modern Movement | Sergio González & Lloyd Barba | Sanctuary in America
Historians Sergio M. González and Lloyd D. Barba join Jennifer Robin Terry on The Clio Dialogues to discuss their book, Sanctuary in America: How Activists Defied the Government and Defended Immigrants—And Why It Still Matters . They explore how an ancient tradition of sacred refuge became a modern movement challenging state power. In 1982, congregations began opening their doors to Salvadorans and Guatemalans fleeing political violence, even as the U.S. government denied them asylum. Facing a stark choice between federal immigration law and a higher moral obligation, communities listened to refugee testimonios —firsthand accounts of state violence and persecution—transforming acts of hospitality into nationwide civil disobedience. González and Barba trace how activists drew on "usable sacred histories," from biblical cities of refuge to the Underground Railroad, and examine the movement's evolution into the secular realm of sanctuary cities and the 21st-century defense of undocumented long-term residents. In This Episode Sanctuary as a Challenge to State Power: How sanctuary functions as a physical place of safe harbor, a moral ethic, and a direct challenge to state immigration policies. The Dual Origins of the 1980s Sanctuary Movement: The parallel declarations of sanctuary on March 24, 1982, by Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, and University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley, California. "Usable Sacred Histories": How movement activists drew upon scripture, the Underground Railroad, and past resistance movements to legitimate their civil disobedience as a core American and religious duty. The Power of Testimonios : How personal accounts of horrific civil war violence served as "conversion experiences" and consciousness-raising for American Christians. The Political Context of the 1980s: How the Reagan administration categorized Central Americans as economic migrants rather than political refugees, thus denying them asylum despite U.S. foreign policy involvement in Central America. The 21st-Century "New Sanctuary Movement": The shift post-9/11 toward protecting undocumented immigrants who have built careers, families, and long-term roots in U.S. communities. Sanctuary Cities vs. Sacred Sanctuary: The emergence of secular sanctuary jurisdictions and how they differ from church-based physical refuge. Political Rhetoric and Misinformation: How modern political figures distort sanctuary policies to frame sanctuary jurisdictions as lawless or crime-ridden, and the use of political stunts like migrant transports. Featured Guests Sergio M. González is an Associate Professor of History at Marquette University. He is a historian of 20th-century U.S. immigration, labor, and religion. Lloyd D. Barba is an Associate Professor of Latinx and Latin American Studies, and Religion at Amherst College. He is a historian of religion in the Americas with training in Latinx history; American race, ethnicity, and immigration; and the American West/Mexico borderlands. Together, they hosted the seven-episode podcast series, : . Buy the Book Lloyd D. Barba and Sergio M. González, Sanctuary in America: How Activists Defied the Government and Defended Immigrants—And Why It Still Matters Bookshop.org Amazon BONUS: Use my Bookshop.org links to buy the book and you get instant literary cred, while the author, this podcast, and local indie bookshops get actual financial support. It’s the closest thing to ethically justified shopping you’ll do all week. *************** If you enjoyed this episode… Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram , Facebook , or Bluesky Leave a review here . Reviews and shares make a real difference in helping thoughtful conversations about history reach new audiences. **History runs on curiosity…and occasionally, caffeine.** The Clio Dialogues is independently produced. If you'd like to help support future episodes, consider buying me a coffee . Every cup helps keep new conversations coming. *************** Affiliate Disclosure Some links in The Clio Dialogues show notes are affiliate links. As a Bookshop.org Affiliate and Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you . Those commissions help offset the costs of producing The Clio Dialogues , allowing me to continue bringing historical scholarship to a wider audience. Thank you for your support. Editorial Independence The Clio Dialogues supports productive, respectful, freedom of expression. My, or my guests opinions may deviate from each other or from yours -- and that's okay! Books and products featured on this channel are selected because I believe they are relevant to the conversation and the knowledge is worth having. Send us Fan Mail
