Immigrant Challenges Immigration In Church

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

A Guatemalan immigrant facing a deportation order challenged the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) seeking refuge in a North Carolina church.

Juana Luz Tobar, mother of four, grandmother of two grandchildren, and resident of the city of Asheboro, has lived in the United States for 25 years. Her husband and two young children are United States citizens.

The undocumented immigrant went to the San Barnabas Episcopal Church in Greensboro after being denied permission to suspend her deportation on May 22, according to the Efe agency.

"I made this determination because I want to be in this country with my family and with my children," Tobar said at a press conference. "I am not a criminal. I have done nothing wrong."

To accommodate her in the sanctuary, the Rev. Randall Keeney arranged a part of the compound with a shower, a bed and a kitchen. During her stay in church, Tobar plans to improve her English and help with temple work. The community that opened the doors is mostly English-speaking, so Tobar will strive to communicate with them.

The 44-year-old woman left her native country for the United States in 1992 due to violence, but had to return seven years later due to an illness suffered by her oldest daughter.

By then she had applied for political asylum and was covered only by a work permit.

In 2004, she attempted to return to the United States, but was detained at the border and her asylum application revoked. Since then, she reported to the ICE office periodically, until last month she was denied a request to suspend the deportation.

Tobar joins other Hispanics such as Ingrid Encalada and Jeanette Vizguerra, among many others, who have found refuge in religious temples.