Man Facing Deportation Takes Sanctuary In Meriden Church

MERIDEN, CT — A West Hartford man who was ordered by ICE to leave the country today (Oct. 10) has instead taken sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Meriden. Sujitno Sajuti, 68, has lived in West Hartford with his wife Dahlia for the past 30 years. Sajuti came to the U.S. to pursue advanced degrees from the University of Connecticut and Columbia University, lacked options to gain status after his student visa expired and decided to remain in Connecticut where he established his home and deep community ties, according to the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance (CIRA).

Sajuti is well-known throughout Connecticut as a “cultural ambassador, educator, and activist,” according to CIRA, which confirmed he had taken sanctuary at the church in Meriden on Tuesday morning.

“A steadfast believer in fostering unity through understanding, Sujitno regularly participates in multicultural and interfaith activities to teach about Indonesian traditions and the Qu’ran,” CIRA wrote in a post on Facebook Tuesday morning. “He also dedicates much of his time to mentoring students in various academic subjects, as well as GED exam preparation. Sujitno also demonstrates his beliefs around justice and equality through participation in several grassroots and advocacy organizations across Connecticut.

“Sujitno’s friends, peers, and students value him as a cherished part of the community. On the day Sujitno is set to be deported, we will protect him from persecution, and exclaim to the world that he must remain home!”

Sajuti was arrested by ICE at his home in 2011 and was incarcerated for more than two months before the community rallied for his freedom, according to FOX 61. He has received stays of removal since then and been allowed to live and work in the U.S.

However, his stay was recently denied and he was ordered to leave the country. His lawyers filed for another stay of removal last week, according to NBC Connecticut.

ICE said in a statement last week, via NBC Connecticut, that Sajuti is an “illegally present citizen of Indonesia who entered the U.S. legally in 1989, but overstayed his lawful visit by several years. A federal immigration judge issued him a final order of removal in October 2003. In an exercise of discretion ICE chose not to place Mr. Sajuti into custody and has allowed him ample time, and numerous stays of removal, to pursue legal options to resolve his case."

Read more at NBC Connecticut here and FOX 61 here.

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