Supporters Of Woman Facing Deportation Celebrate A Win In West Kensington
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A victory celebration was held Saturday at a West Kensington church where an undocumented immigrant called home for nearly 60 days, seeking refuge as supporters fought to have her final deportation order stopped so she could stay in the U.S. with her family.
Immigration officials issued a reprieve Wednesday allowing 27-year-old Angelia Navaro to come out of hiding in the sanctuary of West Kensington Ministry Church and start the process of becoming a U.S. citizen like her husband and two children.
At Saturday's ceremony, Jazmin Delgado with the New Sanctuary Movement, translated for Angela:
"I can now apply for a social security number, for a driver licence and work permits."
Nine-year-old Auturo Mendoza is excited to be moving out of the church, where his mom sought protection from deportation, and into permanent home:
"We are going to live in a new house and have a safe family again and be able to go out and do stuff together."
Thousands of people, including a member of Philadelphia City Council, showed their support over the past couple of months, asking immigration officials to stop the final deportation order.
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