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.
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