Part 3: Amanda

NEW YORK SANCTUARY COALITION

In the 1980s, hundreds of churches joined together in the "sanctuary movement” to save Central American political refugees from deportation. They managed to offer some de facto protection since the immigration authorities wanted to avoid the spectacle of church raids. Today churches are not subject to prosecution for harboring undocumented peoples, attracting immigrants to seek protection through this process.
Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017

After being ordered to report to the Javitz building to be detained and deported, mother of three living in Long Island, Amanda Morales, approached Juan Carlos Ruiz about taking sanctuary in a Manhattan church to avoid detainment. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017

Amanda spends her days in sanctuary meeting with different newspapers and media sources in between playing with her children in their new home in the church library. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

Amanda and her two-year-old son David share a yogurt at lunch time in the church kitchen before he returns to watching his favorite TV show, Dora the Explorer. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York – August 17, 2017.

Amanda’s oldest daughter Dulce (9) shares, “Sometimes at night I start to cry because I just miss my dad.” She continues, “I don’t like when mom has to talk to the cameras. It feels really weird.” Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

Gabriela (8) explores her fantasy world through Minecraft in which she built her two-story house next to a lake and trees. Dulce works on her own tablet, modeling Minecraft universe after her new home in the church. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

Everyday life in sanctuary. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

The makeshift sleeping arrangements for the family in the sanctuary. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017

Amanda explains how she received her deportation order, “In 2012 I was driving and I hit a car behind and did not bring license. I told the police that I wanted them to give them my ID or something or license, and what I gave them was my passport and they kept it , And as I was taken to the hospital I did not have time to ask them where my ID was, and after a few days the letter of deportation came to me through that. The prosecutor decided that I could not be in this country [US] anymore, that I I had to leave.” Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

Children's drawings. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York – August 17, 2017.

Amanda with two of her children. Holyrood Episcopal Church in Washington Heights, New York. August 17, 2017.

By Kate McGreevy & Yasmine Sanchez

PART 3: THE PHYSICAL SANCTUARY OF AMANDA MORALES

Amanda Morales was asked to report to the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building with a one way ticket to Guatemala as demanded by her prosecutor. Amanda shares, “I did not go to my appointment because they told me that in this appointment they would stop me... because this was the final appointment.” Amanda decided to take sanctuary in Holyrood Episcopal Church that’s part of the New York Sanctuary Coalition which is working to keep her with her family. Amanda, currently undocumented is a mother of 3 kids trying to make a life for herself and her family in America because of poverty back in her home town in Guatemala. However, in New York, Amanda was in fear that ICE would come and take her away because she did not attend her last appointment and so, she sought sanctuary. Through some research she found Juan Carlos Ruiz, a priest at St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church the Holyrood Church who offered her a stay at the Holyrood church. Through the NYSC programs Amanda is now being informed about the immigration process, has a support structure and a temporary home at the church which provides her and her kids a bed, food and water, and above all santuary. Amanda is hoping that her request for Asylum will be granted so she can reunite with her partner in Long Island and continue her life in the United States.