Sanctuary Corporations: Time for Liberal Corporations to Get Religion?

Spurred on by the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies, the “sanctuary” movement has seen rapid growth in both religious and secular contexts. Some businesses have publicly expressed their support for undocumented people, but what happens if these businesses run afoul of immigration laws? Following the logic of Hobby Lobby v. Burwell, we argue that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act could provide a shield for businesses, provided they act out of a sincere religious belief. We also discuss the heightened role of religion in today’s legal landscape, and how this may ultimately be a dangerous result for civil society.