Second illegal immigrant facing deportation seeks sanctuary in Columbus

The nationwide issue of migrant parents being separated from their children is hitting closer to home today.

Honduras-native Miriam Vargas has become the second immigrant to enter sanctuary in Columbus, Ohio.

Vargas, 41, and her two children, ages 5 and 9, both U.S. citizens, took refuge inside First English Lutheran Church on the Near East Side Tuesday night after she reported to the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and was told she needed to be on a plane back to Honduras at 7am Wednesday Morning.

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The Dispatch reports Vargas fled Honduras in 2005 to keep her family safe from gang violence.

“I have no other choice but to enter sanctuary. I am doing this to keep my family together. My two children are what matters. I need to be with them,” stated Vargas per a release. 

Vargas is joined by Edith Espinal who has been in sanctuary for over nine months at the Columbus Mennonite Church and four others seeking sanctuary in Ohio.

North Carolina is the only other state with more people in sanctuary than Ohio.

How do you feel about illegal immigrants seeking sanctuary in Columbus?

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