Faith community offers protection to immigrants facing deportation

Like millions of other undocumented immigrants, Rosa Robles Loreto came to the United States from Mexico seeking a better life. She made Arizona her new home, where she worked early in the morning and in the evening cheered for her 8- and 11-year-old boys at their baseball games as her husband coached the team.

But all that changed recently when she received a minor traffic violation and was put in deportation proceedings. She spent 53 days in detention even though her supporters say she has no criminal history and has strong ties to her community.

SEE ALSO: What Obama’s delay on executive action means for immigrant families

After fighting to stop her deportation through the courts to no avail, Robles Loreto sought refuge at the Southside Presbyterian Church, where she has been living since August 7. The church is located in Tucson, Ariz., where Robles Loreto has been living for the past 15 years.

“Entering sanctuary wasn’t easy, and it has been a challenge for me and my family,” Robles Loreto said in a conference call with reporters last week. “But it is something that has been necessary and important for us. My goal is to be able to stay together with my sons and my husband who need me and not to separate our family.”

The church where Robles Loreto is staying is one of the 24 congregations across the country that are offering sanctuary to undocumented immigrants who are facing deportation, something faith leaders say Congress and the Obama administration refuse to do. Four other immigrants facing deportation are also seeking sanctuary in churches across the country.

It’s unclear how long Robles Loreto will remain in sanctuary. For now, Rev. Alison Harrington of the Southside Presbyterian Church said Robles Loreto can stay at the church “until the day that she can safely return to doing what she loves most — cheering for her 11- and 8-year-old boys at their Little League games.”

Faith community has long history of helping immigrants

This is not the first time that the faith community steps in to help immigrants. In the 1980s, churches began offering sanctuary to immigrants fleeing civil wars in Central America in what became known as the “sanctuary movement.”

Most recently, faith leaders have played a critical role in championing for immigration reform. They have pointed to religious scriptures to call for compassion and have become known as the “moral voice” of the immigration debate.

Hundreds of diverse faith communities—including Protestant denominations, Catholic parishes and Jewish congregations—have also pointed to the consequences that deportations are having on immigrants and their families. They’ve done so by organizing prayer vigils, participating in rallies, sending out letters to members of Congress, holding hunger strikes and even getting arrested.

SEE ALSO: Oregon immigration activist avoids deportation in Lutheran church

Now, the faith community is stepping in to protect immigrants from deportation by offering them sanctuary in the wake of President Barack Obama’s decision to delay taking executive action to fix the nation’s immigration system and offer immigrants relief from deportation. In doing so, the faith community is reviving the sanctuary movement that began in the 1980s.

“After the President’s announcement on September 6th to, again, delay administrative relief to those at risk of deportation, faith bodies began to question the morality of waiting and bearing the daily loss of our brothers and sisters any longer,” said Rev. Gradye Parsons, the highest elected official in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. “And so here we are, at this point in the faith history of this country where congregations intercede by offering sanctuary.”

As many as two dozen churches in 12 cities—including Tucson, Portland, Chicago, Denver and Seattle—have agreed to offer “physical sanctuary” to undocumented immigrants facing deportation. Another 60 faith communities are offering support.

Faith leaders involved with the sanctuary movement say they want the Obama administration to grant a form of relief from deportation, such as stay of removal or deferred action, to immigrants currently in sanctuary. They’re also calling on the administration to “immediately expand deferred action in the most accessible and broadest form.”

“Mass deportations and family separations must end,” said Rev. Julian DeShazier of University Church Chicago, whose church is offering sanctuary. “If the government won’t accept responsibility, then we will find a way to make a difference by working together with those afflicted and their allies.”

SEE ALSO: Republicans and Democrats unhappy with their party on immigration