Rethinking sanctuary cities in Canada: reflecting on a decade of municipal access without fear policies

ABSTRACT

This article reflects on the commitments and outcomes of municipal access without fear policies in Canada over the past decade. The potentials and limitations faced by sanctuary cities are evaluated through an analysis of municipal policies, peer-reviewed scholarship, and grey literature. In particular, I focus on three conceptual framings that are commonly associated with sanctuary city policies––sanctuary-as-defiance, sanctuary-as-protection, and sanctuary-as-inclusion––and ask: to what extent can these be observed in the discourses and actions of Canadian sanctuary cities? I find that while municipal access without fear policies do constitute valuable expressions of solidarity with residents without immigration status, municipalities have faced several challenges in living up to their expectations. I conclude by suggesting that we might look toward grassroots social movements, advocacy organizations, and community networks for examples of these fundamental commitments to defiance, protection, and inclusion.

KEYWORDS:

• Sanctuary city
• access without fear
• municipal government
• citizenship
• undocumented migrants
• immigration enforcement
• social movements
• migrant justice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).