Woman seeks sanctuary inOhio church

Mexican immigrant called ‘enforcement priority’ by ICE.

Immigration COLUMBUS — officials knew where Edith Espinal wasMonday morning.

That was clear by the beeping sound ringing out from her ankle as she entered Columbus Mennonite Church.

It was the second time the 39-year-old fromMexico has sought sanctuary from deportation in the North Side church.

Espinal walked back in Monday, embraced by her three children, instead of reporting for a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials. She stayed at the church for two nights last month before shewas told she could apply for a stay of removal.

But during an appointment with ICE officials last week, Espinal was forced to purchase a plane ticket to leave the country, or risk being takeninto custody. She was told her stay had been denied because she was an “enforcement priority,” her attorney has said.

Her plane ticket toMexico was scheduled for Oct. 10. She and her family decided Sunday night that shewould instead return to sanctuary at the church in order to stay together.

“We don’t want her to leave,” Espinal’s daughter, Stephanie Espinal, told reporters and a small group of supporters outside the churchMonday. “I just can’t imagine not havingmymom next to me every single day. She might not be with me at home, but at least I know that I’m going to be able to see her probably every day (at the church).”

One of Espinal’s sons, Brandow Espinal, is working through his own case with ICE officials. He doesn’t have an immigration court date until 2020, but ICE officials are already asking to see him, his family said.

“They’re waging psychological warfare against Edith and her family,” said theRev. Dan Clark, Ohio Director of Faith in Public life.

Espinal’s attorneys, Inna Simakovsky and Liliana Vasquez, said when they checked in with their client Sunday night, she had planned to attend her ICE check-inMonday. They have discussed with Espinal the various options available to her, butweren’tmade aware that she planned to return to sanctuary, they said.

“Edith is a person who is under tremendous stress,” said Simakovsky. “It’s just a horrible situation.”

The church has converted a children’s classroom into living quarters for Espinal, and volunteerswere already talkingMonday about coordinating meals for her and her family.

ICE officials aren’t forbidden fromentering a church, but the agency has a policy that states carrying out enforcement actions in “sensitive locations,” such as schools and places of worship, should be avoided or have previous approval from a supervisor.