Can I Seek Sanctuary From Deportation at My Church?

Nationwide, more and more churches are offering sanctuary for undocumented immigrants who are facing deportation. Church World Service, an international humanitarian non-profit organization, estimates that about 800 churches have declared themselves to be sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants. Nonetheless, only a very small number of immigrants are taking refuge in churches, typically as a last resort, and a potentially risky one. In many cases, mothers seek sanctuary in order to remain with their American-born children. For immigrants who choose to use a church as sanctuary from immigration officials, it is more than a decision to protect themselves; seeking sanctuary in a church is a public statement of defiance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the Trump administration as a whole. This can lead to publicity that places the immigrant squarely in the crosshairs of ICE, and make him or her particularly susceptible to deportation at the slightest misstep. However, publicity also seems to have helped those who have taken sanctuary in churches, at least to some degree; in many cases, deportation has been delayed significantly or abandoned altogether. Furthermore, while current ICE policy is to avoid immigration arrests in sensitive locations, such as churches, that policy is always subject to change, just as the Trump administration has changed many policies related to immigration enforcement over the last year. As a result, there is no guarantee that seeking sanctuary in a church will prevent an immigration arrest at all, which is too big of a risk for some, who ultimately choose not to seek sanctuary in a church. In today’s political climate, fear of deportation is a legitimate issue for any undocumented immigrant. Seeking sanctuary from deportation is a decision that only you and your family can make with the help of experienced immigration attorneys. The deportation defense lawyers of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., pride themselves on aggressively representing the interests of those immigrants who are facing potential deportation by American immigration authorities. Our goal is to gather evidence in your favor, build on a strong case on your behalf, and develop a strategy that is best designed to help you remain in the United States and move on with your life. The earlier we can get started with your case, the more likely you are to prevail in your deportation proceedings. Don’t hesitate to contact us today and learn what we can do to assist you.