Immigrant stays in Tucson church for a year, refuses to leave until her case is closed

In this Thursday, July 30, 2015 photo, Rosa Robles Loreto sits in her small room at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., where she has taken sanctuary from deportation for a year. Robles Loreto, 42, says she is not leaving the church until the government assures her she will not be deported. (AP Photo/Astrid Galvan,File) (The Associated Press)

TUCSON, Ariz. – A Tucson woman has been taking sanctuary in a church to protect herself from deportation for one year.

Rosa Robles Loreto completed a year in sanctuary at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson on Friday.

The 42-year-old was issued an order of deportation after a traffic infraction five years ago resulted in her being turned over to immigration authorities.

Robles Loreto has a unique case because her entire family lacks legal status. Her attorney Margo Cowan says other immigrants who have been granted leniency by immigration authorities have had U.S.-born children. President Barack Obama policies aim to keep families with U.S.-born children together.

Robles Loreto says she will continue to live at the church until she is issued a stay of deportation or until authorities administratively close her case.