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Illegal immigrant faces deportation

August 15, 2006 - An illegal immigrant facing deportation finds sanctuary inside a West Side church, but immigration officials warn Elvira Arellano that she will be considered a fugitive if she doesn't turn herself in.

Arellano failed to show up at an immigration hearing Tuesday morning, instead seeking sanctuary at the Humboldt Park church. She came to the United States from Mexico 9 years ago. She said she does not want to leave her 7-year-old son, who is a U.S. citizen.
"I want to stay here for my son. I want to give him a better future, a better life," she said in Spanish, speaking through a translator.

Arellano first was deported from the United States shortly after illegally crossing the border in 1997, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She says she returned within days, went on to live in Oregon for three years and moved to Chicago in 2000.

She was arrested in 2002 at O'Hare International Airport, where she was employed as a cleaning woman, and subsequently convicted of working under a false Social Security number. She was granted a stay of deportation because her son had a number of health problems. Last week Arellano received a letter notifying her she will be deported.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released a statement Tuesday: "If Ms. Arellano does not surrender to ICE today, she will be considered a fugitive from the law. We will arrest her and deport her, as required by law, at a place and time of our choosing."

While Arellano has been waging her own personal battle to remain in the United States, she became politically and socially active as well. She now is president of United Latino Family, which lobbies for families that could be split by deportation.

Arellano has received support from several Democratic politicians over the years. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he introduced a private bill that provided Arellano one stay in her deportation proceedings, but that there is nothing more he can do.

"Several years ago, when Elvira came to us with a medical emergency regarding her son, I was happy to introduce a private relief bill on her behalf. It is our understanding that those circumstances have now changed," said Senator Dick Durbin.

"She feels she has nothing else to lose. She led the movement for immigration reform in this country," said Emma Lozano, activist.

"It will be irresponsible and wrong for the church not to do everything in its power to protect that boy," said

Arellano said she will live in the church as long as is necessary.

"And, when they come, they will not be dealing with me but house of god and he -- they will deal with god," said Arellano.



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