Working for healthy, sustainable, and just communities for all

From the Threat of Deportation to the Promise of Citizenship

A Public Celebration

From the Threat of Deportation to the Promise of Citizenship

This event will celebrate the story of a courageous Oxnard woman who had the faith and strength to resist while two million people were being deported. It will also celebrate the power of activists committed to the belief that moral laws were more righteous than the government's mandate, on a legal technicality, to permanently exile this woman away from her husband and children, all U.S. citizens.

An interfaith sanctuary coalition was organized in 2007 by the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Ventura County (CLUE-VC) to stand with Liliana as she appealed her removal order. At the May 14 celebration, participants will describe the eight years of support, faith, and perseverance that helped Liliana reach her path to citizenship.

Liliana stated "The knock on the door came in May 2007, as my U.S-citizen husband and I were preparing the family for a day of work and school. The ICE agents stood there ready to deport me. My young daughter Susy asked, 'Why are you taking my mother? She's a good mother.' The ICE agents agreed to give me a few days to prepare the children. That is how I ended up contacting CLUE and entering sanctuary with my infant son at the Simi Valley United Church of Christ."

CLUE-VG Board Chair Vanessa Frank said "Liliana became the face of a broken immigration system that tears apart families. After 3 years of CLUE's asserting her story through the highest ranks of the Obama administration and the Catholic Church, the President ordered changes to national policy for all immigrant families. After three years in sanctuary, ICE allowed Liliana to return to her Ventura County home with Deferred Action status. Last year, Liliana's immigration court case was terminated and she was finally able to secure her permanent, lawful status in the United States. Liliana's journey demonstrates how CLUE-VG lifts up the voices of struggling families to change unjust policies and continues to fight for justice for working families."

While living under the threat of deportation , Liliana and her allies spoke out publicly against the policies and laws that were separating other mothers and fathers from their U.S. citizen children. Liliana knows that but for the grace of God and the sanctuary of the UCC church, she could have been locked away in a desert prison far from her husband and children while fighting her removal to Mexico. After receiving her greencard this December, Liliana made a pilgrimage to visit women confined in the Adelanto Detention Center in the Mojave Desert, and continues to speak out about the suffering of other immigrants.

CLUE-VC invites everyone who has become acquainted with Liliana or wants to share in celebrating her recently-granted right to live with her family in the country she loves to the May 14 event. 

GUEST SPEAKERS

Alice Linsmeier who was the Executive Director of the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Ventura County (CLUE-VC) and who led efforts to find and support a church that would provide sanctuary for Liliana when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) ordered Liliana's deportation in May 2007 .

Rev. June Goudey who was pastor of the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley when the congregation voted to provide sanctuary for Liliana and her infant son in July 2007and who supported them in many ways through their years at the church.

Gabriela Navarro-Bush , the dedicated local attorney who first filed Liliana's legal appeal.

Peter Schey, the Director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law and expert legal counsel in immigration law who successfully pursued Liliana's case over the years with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Rev. Julie Wakelee-Lynch who was associate rector at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Long Beach, California where Liliana and her infant son were first given temporary sanctuary in May 2007.

Rev. Betty Stapleford who championed sanctuary for Liliana as President of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Ventura County (CLUE-VC) in May 2007.

Vanessa Frank who has continued support for Liliana's case as the current CLUE-VC Board Chair.
Members of the interfaith sanctuary coalition,the congregation of the United Church of Christ and the volunteers from affiliated congregations who supported Liliana and made 24 hour
.accompaniment at the sanctuary house a reality.

For information contact Frank Johnson at (805) 208-3632 or visit the CLUE VC website: http://www.cluevc.org/.

Sponsored By
CLUE Ventura County, CEJ

Contact

Frank Johnson
clue@cluevc.org
805-208-3632
Website

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