Best of 2025: A long history of sanctuary movements

This year, WUWM explored Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s immigration history through a series called Making Wisconsin. The idea was to help better understand who our neighbors are and how immigration has shaped our city, state and country. One part of the series explored the concept of sanctuary. Throughout history there have been waves of sanctuary movements stemming from religious organizations, activists, and legislation.

To help understand sanctuary and how it shaped our history and politics Lake Effect’s Audrey Nowakowski spoke with Marquette University assistant professor of history and author Sergio González.