A service was held at a Manhattan church on Sunday in solidarity with an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant who may be facing deportation.
13 years ago, Amanda Morales arrived in the U.S. and has three children, all of whom have U.S. citizenship. However, immigration authorities suddenly told her last week that she could not stay.
Elected officials and others came together in Washington Heights at Holyrood Church to create a sanctuary space for Morales and offer support as she waits to find out about her future.
“It’s like sending out a message that ‘We are here with you. You’re not alone,'” Father Luis Barrios told NY1. “That’s where we are at this moment, because she’s waiting on standby. What’s going to come out, no one knows.”
Now the push to protect Morales isn’t just spiritual; it’s political, too, and action has been planned.
“We’re putting a prayer out on behalf of Amanda and all undocumented individuals that we have in this nation, hoping that it will help for the members of ICE to open their hearts,” local Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez said, according to NY1.
On Monday, members of the church’s congregation as well as local leaders will go to Federal Plaza to tell authorities to end attempts to deport Morales.
