Constructing Belonging: An In-Depth Analysis of the Oregon Sanctuary Movement
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Date
2022
Authors
Han, Alexis
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
By conceptualizing Oregon’s history of immigrants’ rights activism as the Oregon sanctuary movement, this research project takes an interdisciplinary lens to analyze historic and modern expressions of sanctuary as a means of supporting undocumented immigrants in Oregon. By focusing on activism and public policy as enactments of sanctuary, I answered these research questions: How has the Oregon sanctuary movement evolved from its origins in faith-based activism? And how does Oregon’s sanctuary policy and the work of sanctuary and immigrants’ rights activists intersect to cultivate belonging for undocumented people? I engaged in a multi-method study by analyzing interviews with Oregon sanctuary activists, conducting interviews with immigrants’ rights professionals, and analyzing the legislative process of the Sanctuary Promise Act. While the Oregon sanctuary movement remains consistent in its origins in faith-based and political activism, my research indicates the resiliency and adaptability of the Oregon sanctuary movement as a community-powered campaign that evolves and expands to respond to the needs of undocumented Oregonians and cultivate belonging for all Oregonians.
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Keywords
sanctuary activism, sanctuary legislation, immigrants' rights, public policy, faith-based activism