Sanctuary churches vow to shield immigrants from possible crackdown
When Javier Flores, a 40-year-old father of three, received an order to surrender to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he fled to Arch Street United Methodist Church. He said he is determined to stay in the United States for the sake of his children.
The north Philadelphia resident, who has no criminal convictions, entered the United States from Mexico without papers in 1997. Since then, he has been deported and reentered several times.
“Today and every day, if Javier and his family choose to stay with us, they will have a home with us,” said Robin Hynicka, senior pastor of the Arch Street church, on November 15.
