Austin Church Has Provided Sanctuary for Years

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church continues its long-standing policy of sheltering undocumented immigrants.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Immigration

Austin Church Has Provided Sanctuary for Years

Live Poll

Should religious organizations be permitted to provide sanctuary to individuals facing deportation?

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin maintains an active sanctuary policy to house undocumented immigrants. The church provides refuge to individuals, including those who previously spent months in detention centers.

Why it matters

The church acts as a protective space for immigrants, even after policy shifts removed the designation of churches as sensitive locations for enforcement. This sanctuary work reflects the institution's commitment to supporting individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Hilda Ramirez resided in the church for years after an 11-month detention period, while a current Guatemalan resident has worked at the facility for 8 years. Ramirez currently holds a stay of removal valid until 2026.

The players

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

This Austin religious institution maintains a formal sanctuary policy to house and support undocumented immigrants.

Hilda Ramirez

A former sanctuary resident who previously spent 11 months in an ICE detention center before receiving a stay of removal.

Carol Johnson

The Reverend who confirmed that the church continues to provide housing for a Guatemalan immigrant.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States who rescinded the policy designating churches as sensitive locations for ICE.

James Talarico

A political figure who has publicly discussed the role of the church in housing undocumented individuals in Austin.

The details

Church members maintain an immigrant support committee and actively stand watch during food pantry operations to guard against potential ICE interaction. While Donald Trump previously rescinded the policy protecting churches as sensitive locations, the congregation continues to provide housing.

Hilda and Ivan began residing at the church in 2016.
James Talarico discussed the church housing undocumented individuals in 2023.
Church members stood watch for ICE during food pantries in February 2025.
Hilda Ramirez's stay of removal expires in 2026.

Political Context

The church's decision to maintain its sanctuary policy contrasts with the rescission of the sensitive locations memo, which previously shielded houses of worship from certain ICE enforcement actions. This creates a challenging environment for organizations navigating shifting federal immigration enforcement priorities.

Residents may notice an increased presence of community members or heightened security awareness around the church during food pantry hours. These measures are part of the local effort to ensure the safety of those living in sanctuary within the city.

The takeaway

Sanctuary policies remain a contentious point of intersection between local religious institutions and federal immigration enforcement. Readers should be aware that the status of sensitive locations can change based on federal directives.