Jose – A father of 2, Jose had received a final order of removal when his wife contacted the Central Virginia Sanctuary Network. The Network quickly mobilized to accompany him and his family to his court appearance and help them to find better legal defense. We continue working with the family and Jose’s wife has participated in advocacy at the General Assembly.
Pastor Juan – A friend of Pastor Juan’s family contacted the Central Virginia Sanctuary Network to look for support in raising awareness around his story. Pastor Juan was detained in Farmville after losing his permanent residency due to a trespassing charge that was later dropped. His wife and children are U.S. citizens, one in middle school and the other in the U.S. Air Force. Pastor Juan was unfortunately deported and is in Peru fighting his case.
Luci – Nursing mom Luci feared going to her ICE check-in. She is seeking asylum from violence and poverty in Guatemala. Volunteers with Central Virginia Sanctuary provided transportation for Luci to get to her appointment and hold a visible presence of support. We continue working with Luci to win her case.
In September, 2017, the Trump administration announced its intention to rescind DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The Sanctuary network quickly mobilized a march in protest.
Ale was arrested while calling for more accountability for ICE at a peaceful protest in January, 2018. This led to her being detained for over 40 days. The Central Virginia Sanctuary Network joined with many more supporters to accompany her to court in Chesterfield in May, where her case was continued.
In March, 2018, the Sanctuary Network got a call that the sheriff of Henrico County was holding Erick past his release date on an unconstitutional ICE detainer. The network mobilized our communities to call the sheriff and about 20 activists showed up at the jail. Erick was later released.
During the General Assembly the Sanctuary network mobilized to support Tuition Equity and Driving Privileges and to oppose the Anti-Sanctuary City bill.
In late May, 2018, Central Virginia Sanctuary Network volunteers partnered to rapidly raise funds, posted bail for Omar in Chesterfield and drove to Williamsburg to bring him home from the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, where he had been in ICE custody.
We need your support!
— The Central Virginia Sanctuary Network is a project of the Welcoming All program of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Your financial support for VICPP allows us to continue working for racial and economic justice.