Sanctuary churches vow to shield immigrants from Trump crackdown

[rug]

Supporters surround Javier Flores and his family during a press conference in the basement of Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia on Nov. 15, 2016. The group gathered to announce that Flores has taken asylum in the church. Senior pastor Robin Hynicka stands immediately behind him. RNS photo by Elizabeth Evans

By Elizabeth Evans and Yonat Shimron | November 18, 2016

PHILADELPHIA (RNS) First came the mayors of New York, Chicago and Seattle declaring their cities “sanctuaries” and saying they will protect undocumented immigrants from President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport them.

Then thousands of students, professors, alumni and others at elite universities including Harvard, Yale and Brown signed petitions asking their schools to protect undocumented students from any executive order.

Now, religious congregations, including churches and synagogues, are declaring themselves “sanctuaries” for immigrants fleeing deportation.

On Tuesday (Nov. 15), an undocumented Mexican and father of three, who says he is determined to stay in the United States for the sake of his children, appeared at a news conference at Arch Street United Methodist Church, where he is seeking sanctuary from deportation by federal authorities.

http://religionnews.com/2016/11/18/sanctuary-churches-vow-to-shield-immigrants-from-trump-crackdown/

[Jim__]

1. The breaking up of families may be a good issue to rally around.

Most people recognize that breaking up families is a solution that’s worse than the actual problem.

[rug]

2. You're right. That's the most inhuman consequence of trump's policy.