Church immig’s son makes plea for her to stay
LITTLE DANIEL Hernandez delivered a Bible passage and a sharp rebuke to President Trump at a rally to spare the 10-year-old’s immigrant mom from deportation.
Demonstrators gathered Thursday outside the Trump International Hotel near Columbus Circle as Aura Hernandez hunkered down at the nearby Fourth Universalist Society Church — where she sought sanctuary from deportation earlier this month.
Hernandez remained in the church about 16 blocks north as demonstrators offered support with pint-sized protester Daniel.
“This is why we are here in front of the hotel that represents the President of this country, to tell him he is not respecting one of the most important commandments: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself,’ ” said the elementary school student.
“He is not taking care, nor protecting us,” the child continued, reading perfectly from a prepared text. “Quite the contrary, he is using his power to mistreat and abuse us.”
Daniel and his 15-month-old sister Camila are American citizens, born here after their mother fled her native Guatemala and an abusive relationship in 2005.
She ignored a Texas court date after crossing the border, and moved to Westchester County with her sister. Things were fine for the family as Hernandez checked in regularly during the past five years with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
When she arrived for last month’s meeting, Hernandez was told to return to Guatemala or face deportation. Hernandez, 37, instead sought sanctuary inside the church on Central Park West.
“Hernandez did not report as required and is now considered an ICE fugitive,” the agency said in a statement. ICE policy forbids any enforcement efforts in places of worship.
The demonstrators left the Trump hotel and marched along the West Side to the church, where Aura Hernandez was clutching her baby girl.
“I came here looking for help because I was in a very difficult situation, for me and my children,” explained Hernandez, holding back tears.
“I am not the only one in this situation. There’s many of us. I won’t stay quiet. We can’t allow more separation of families. We need to unite.”
Activists echoed Hernandez’s call to allow her family to remain intact in the United States.
“This racist rhetoric allows and gives license to the injustice perpetuated against our immigrant communities,” said the Rev. Juan Carlos Ruiz, co-founder of the immigrant organization New Sanctuary Coalition.
“We are here to join with Aura, her family and many other families who feel terrorized.”