Ohio Church Offers Sanctuary To Woman Facing Deportation

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Leonor Ferreyra Garcia, 42, has lived in the U.S. for two decades. She owns a home in Akron, has four children and holds a steady job. She is also a target for deportation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Garcia, fearing she will be separated from her family, fled to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights. The church's pastor, John Lentz, said he would provide her with sanctuary, an ancient tradition in which those seeking to elude persecution may declare sanctuary at a church.

Lentz was unsure if the declaration of sanctuary would prevent ICE from pursuing deportation against Garcia when he spoke to Patch. He said his bigger fear at the moment is threats toward the church, its congregation and Garcia being made via social media. He said he has faith the Cleveland Heights Police Department will do its best to protect the church. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Cleveland Heights newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

The city's police department told Patch in an email it would work tirelessly to protect every member of the community.

Khaalid Walls, spokesperson for ICE, told Patch the agency is still looking into Garcia's case. However, he did point out that "Current ICE policy directs agency personnel to avoid conducting enforcement activities at sensitive locations (like churches)" unless agents receive approval from a supervisor. Places of worship are specifically mentioned as a type of "sensitive location."

Should ICE decide to go ahead with Garcia's deportation, Lentz seemed comfortable with more active resistance against Garcia's deportation. "We are non-violent and peaceful. Whatever we have to do will be in a non-violent and peaceful way," he said.

Garcia originally came to America 20 years ago from Mexico, according to Ohio's Voice, an organization that lobbies on behalf of immigrant causes. She followed her husband who had been in the state for four years prior to his wife's arrival. Her four children have grown up in the U.S. and she has a home near Akron.

Garcia was told she was a low priority for ICE during much of the Obama administration. On Aug. 1, she reported for a regular check-in with ICE agents, a visit she told fellow immigrants on June 17 she was scared to attend. She had reason to fear, ICE told her she would be deported Sept. 14 and then had an ankle monitor affixed to her.

"I want to stay over here for my family," Garcia said at a press conference on Tuesday. "I want to fight it because I love my family."

Lentz told Patch Garcia is now living at the church full-time. Her children are able to visit her at Forest Hills.

Garcia's husband was deported to Mexico about six years ago, the L.A. Times reported in 2012. At the time, Garcia was working in a window factory and getting up at 3 a.m. to feed her infant son. She still takes care of her four children by herself.

Lentz said his congregation of about 500 members, with 250 active worshipers, has been supportive of Garcia. When she was introduced at a Sunday service, she was given an ovation. So far the pastor has only received positive emails from his congregants, though he acknowledges that may change in time.

Lentz announced the sanctuary at a press conference on Tuesday, which can be seen below.

Photo caption: Leonor Garcia and her four children. Garcia is on the far left. Photo from Ohio's Voice