Central American Refugees Research Paper

Background The early 1980s were times of tension and turmoil the government and citizens of Central America. Over one million Central Americans fled to the United States seeking political asylum due to the violence from Civil Wars in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The militaries killed thousands of people, including Archbishop Oscar Romero and four Catholic Sisters. Along with violence, these nations also became stricken with poverty and economic depression, spurring large-scale migration to the United States. However, upon arrival, many refugees were denied entry into the United States. The Refugee Act (passed during the end of President Carter’s administration) and the UN Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees (which the United States had ratified) outlined procedures
Aften gathering information from those posing as refugees in the Sanctuaries, the Department of Justice began indicting member groups with counts of conspiracy and harboring illegal aliens. Between 1984 and 1986, sixteen religious groups were indicted on 71 counts of conspiracy. Criminal defense attorneys, in alliance with the Sanctuary groups, volunteered their assistance during the trials. Various defense mechanisms were argued by the member groups on trials. Many cited the First Amendment, claiming that they were exercising their religious rights by helping those in need. Others drew parallels between other historical Sanctuary traditions, such as the Underground Railroad, the housing of Jews during World War Two, and God’s command to set aside land in Canaan for the persecuted. Passages from the Old and the New Testament were referenced frequently, as well as ancient Roman Law. Demonstrations sprung up in many major cities across the United States in support of the