In addition to these, each space can opt to adopt further policies such as:

Short term Sanctuary – “Safe Space”:

If an immigrant has not been named as an ICE target for immediate deportation, taking Sanctuary in a house of worship may be useful for a short time (a few hours, one day, or a short overnight stay) to help the immigrant feel safe and become calm rather than panicked, and to get information on what to do next, so they can make good plans. This usually would happen in the event of immigration raids or acts of hate occurring in the area. Immigrants also face day-to-day struggles that faith communities should be ready to address through short-term sanctuary.

Long term – “Physical Sanctuary”:

If an immigrant with a final deportation order is an actual named target for immediate deportation, going into Physical Sanctuary may be a way to avoid deportation for an indefinite period, which could last for weeks or months or even years. The immigrant moves into the house of worship and lives there full-time until some agreement can be made with ICE to let the immigrant live outside the house of worship without fear of being immediately deported.