New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC
Father Juan Carlos Ruiz, Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, Jean Montrevil & Joe Chen, Co-Founders
The New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC (NSC) is a network of interfaith organizations and religious congregations working at the congregational and grassroots level with immigrant families facing deportation in support of reforms to create humane immigration policies and practices. By mobilizing hundreds of people in vigils, civil disobedience arrests, visits to Congress, petitions, and telephone campaigns, the NSC brings attention to detention and deportations.
The NSC emphasizes three approaches. “Revival” activates congregations by involving them in the witness and advocacy programs. “Witness” aims to show authorities and immigrants that people of faith support non-citizens’ rights to remain with their families in the U.S. “Advocacy” encourages the government to implement fair immigration policies.
An “Accompaniment Program” helps families navigate the immigration process and holds officials accountable for due process. The NSC and other advocates oppose the federal mass deportation program known as “Secure Communities” and are mobilizing support for its suspension nationwide.