 These organizations first opposed U.S. foreign policy in Central America and then shifted towards aiding an ever-increasing number of Central Americans refugees.Working in tandem, immigrant rights organizations and churches created many new organizations that provided housing and legal services for newly arrived immigrants.These organizations also advocated for the creation of sanctuary spaces for those fleeing war and oppression in their home countries.By 1987, 440 cities in the United States had been declared "sanctuary cities" open to migrants from civil wars in Central America.