Church Gives Sanctuary To Immigrant Mother

CNN News is reporting that a Chicago-area church is giving sanctuary to an illegal immigrant mother. 31 year-old Elvira Arellano was supposed to surrender to immigration authorities for deportation last Tuesday. Instead, she took refuge in the Adalberto United Methodist Church with her 7 year-old son, who is an American citizen. Church members are keeping a close watch, unsure of what immigration officials are going to do.

On Friday, an unnamed government official close to the case, said immigration agents will not enter the church to apprehend Arellano. He said her case has "no more priority than any of the other 500,000 fugitives nationally." He went on to say Arellano would be apprehended "at an appropriate time and place."

Is this really the way we want our government to act? There is no good choice here. The government, if it continues in this, must either split up a family, or deport an American citizen. Neither option is acceptable. Arellano's son is a citizen of this country, and as such, should not be forced to separate from a loving mother. How is separating this family going to help our country?

I applaud the actions of the Adalberto United Methodist Church. It is a joy to see a group of christians actually practicing what they preach.