Illegal Immigrants to Get Sanctuary in KC
The New Sanctuary Movement incorporates a network of churches and other religious facilities to house immigrants who are in danger of deportation, offering them support and in some cases legal aid. That includes providing shelter in a church if authorities issue a warrant for deportation -- though there’s debate as to whether a church can legally keep out federal agents. U.S. Immigration and Customs spokesmen have been quoted in several news stories arguing that agents have the right to arrest anyone violating immigration laws, but they stop short of saying they'll send agents into churches to drag illegals out.
In any event, the Movement plans to announce its Kansas City opening at a 6:15 p.m. news conference on Tuesday at the corner of Truman and Paseo, according to local organizer Dan Romero of Interfaith Worker Justice of Kansas City. No Kansas City churches have yet taken in an immigrant family, but Romero says at least a dozen in Kansas and Missouri would be available as families seek help.
Though it seems as if the Movement’s efforts might be in response to the city’s escalating rhetorical battle over illegal immigration, it’s not. Romero says the group has been discreetly organizing over several months. Families participating in the program and sanctuary locations will be public, and Romero assumes there will be “significant opposition.” When and if that happens, Romero says, they’ve got a plan to deal with it. “We’ll reveal that when it comes up, but we’re prepared to do what’s necessary.” – Peter Rugg
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