Austin Sanctuary Networks Asks City Council...

A Guatemalan refugee and her 10-year old son fled domestic violence in their home for sanctuary at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin where they’ve been for the past four months.

The Austin Sanctuary Network asked City Council members at the June 9 meeting to write a letter of support to the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in San Antonio in hopes of gaining a stay of deportation and asylum for Hilda and her son.

Hilda Ramirez and her son fled domestic violence in Guatemala. The for-profit Karnes County Residential Center detained the Ramirezes for 11 months before ICE denied her asylum. She hopes for a stay of deportation and asylum on appeal for her son. Currently, St. Andrew’s, part of a larger network, provides sanctuary for Hilda and her 10-year-old son Ivan. ICE policy prohibits agents to raid sensitive places like churches or schools.

Before last week’s city council meeting, Austin Sanctuary Network member Wendy Erisman explained the Austin Sanctuary Network as an interfaith organization with four or five churches as members. The group assists undocumented immigrants appealing a case to be an asylee. They have experienced violence in their home countries and are in danger of being deported.

Two members of the Austin Sanctuary Network addressed the Austin City Council June 9. Crystal McCormick, pastor at St. Andrew’s, gave background on Ramirez’s story and asked for support from council members in fighting for the human rights of immigrants everywhere.

A McCormick left the podium, Peggy Morton introduced herself and shared similar pleadings. She played a video of Ramirez asking the council for support. After the video, Morton requested the council write a letter on the woman’s behalf to the San Antonio ICE office.

None of the council responded, but council member Sheri Gallo thanked the youngest members of the group for their participation and encouraged to them to register to vote when they turn 18.

When asked about possible action or opinions on Austin Sanctuary Network’s request, the Council Member Kathie Tovo’s chief of staff mentioned in a phone conversation they have been in communication with Alejandro Caceres the immigration organizer at Grassroots Leadership and coordinator of the ICE Out of Austin campaign he’s been very involved in the ICE regulations. Caceres could not be reached. Residents of Austin had an opinion.

In regards to the issue, Austin resident Savannah Jackowski said, “America was founded by immigrants, so I don’t think it’s fair to stop now.”

Likewise, Cedar Park resident Mark James said, “I think they should be allowed to stay mainly because of my Christian faith. I have no problem as long as there’s no safety issue.”

Hope remains for the Ramirezes because of past success by the Austin Sanctuary Network in helping refugees gain asylum. Wendy Erissman of ASN said, “In particular, our church First Unitarian Universalist Church in Austin has given sanctuary to a woman, Sulma Franco, from Guatemala who was in danger because she was an LGBTQ activist, so we worked with her and her attorneys. She lived in our church for a couple of months while we worked with ICE and other organizations to get her a stay of deportation.” Franco now works and lives freely in Austin.

Citizens who would like to voice their concerns, support or opposition may contact their City Council Members. For contact information visit http://www.austintexas.gov/government