Sanctuary offered to woman

St. Andrew Episcopal Church gives sanctuary to woman facing deportation and her two children

A woman who is facing deportation has found sanctuary at St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Mentor.

Laura, who is a mother of two, was recently pulled over by Painesville Police on a routine traffic stop and reported to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, said the Rev. Lisa O’Rear, who is the rector of St. Andrew Episcopal Church.

“Laura was then told that she would be deported shortly,” she said. “Laura was born in Mexico, but has lived in the U.S. for 15 years. One of her sons was born in the U.S. and the other has lived here since he was 2 years old. Laura has no criminal history and considers Lake County her home.”

After hearing that Laura could be separated from her sons, O’Rear said the church felt called to help one of their neighbors .

It opened its doors to Laura and her son’s on Oct. 21.

“We weren’t seeking to become a sanctuary church,” O’Rear said. “We just really felt called to help this family. We understand the risks and we are entering this on faith.”

St. Andrew Episcopal Church welcomes community support.

“We’re all in this together,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to unite.”

O’Rear said she looks forward to building relationships with Laura and her sons.

The number of area churches declaring themselves sanctuaries for immigrants is rising.

About a month ago, Rev. John C. Lentz of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights announced that it would also provide sanctuary to a mother who was facing deportation and her

children.

Lentz said he believes that all should be welcomed.

There is also a growing “Sanctuary Movement”, where hundreds of congregations around the nation are standing in solidarity with immigrants and providing spaces of sanctuary for individuals facing deportation.

ICE has a policy in place that says that enforcement actions are not to occur at or be focused on “sensitive locations,” including places of worship, and religious or civil ceremonies or observances and during a public demonstration.