Immigrant stays in Tucson church for a year, refuses to leave until her case is closed
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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)
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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.