After Years Of Living Inside A Church, A Honduran Mother Is Granted Freedom
KUER 90.1 | By Ivana Martinez
Published April 16, 2021 at 3:40 PM MDT
A crowd chanted “Vicky es libre,” as Vicky Chavez walked down the steps of First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City after living more than three years in sanctuary. (Photo By Kelsie Moore)
After more than three years, Vicky Chavez took her first steps of freedom outside the church that gave her sanctuary.
Chavez is an undocumented immigrant who fled political unrest and an abusive relationship in Honduras back in 2014. Her initial request for asylum was denied in January 2018.
She was waiting at the Salt Lake City International airport for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to call her about her request. When her lawyer told her it was denied, she and her two daughters sought protection inside First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City to avoid deportation.
Tuesday, Chavez learned ICE had granted her a stay of removal. Chavez said she was preparing for her weekly meeting with the National Sanctuary Collective when her attorney called with the news. She thought he was joking.
More:
https://www.kunc.org/news/2021-04-16/after-years-of-living-inside-a-church-a-honduran-mother-is-granted-freedom