During such Godless times, it’s easy to lose faith. For a 40-year-old Mexican father, however, faith was the primary tool to help him regain his freedom.
Meet Javier Garcia Flores, an undocumented immigrant who spent nearly a year inside the Arch Street Methodist Church in Philadelphia to avoid deportation. Javier became the first undocumented person in the country to go into sanctuary under Trump’s administration.
After 11 arduous months, on Wednesday, Javier finally stepped foot outside the church for the first time as a free man. “I’m really excited that I finally get to have my dad at home,” exclaimed Flores’ daughter to CBS-3 TV.
The arches at the church filled with love as people gathered to celebrate Javier’s newfound freedom because he would finally walk the streets without fear, just like God intended. “I’ve never been held up for so much time, it was really hard,” Flores told CBS-3 TV.
Javier Garcia Flores will walk out of United Methodist Church with legal status after living in sanctuary from deportation. pic.twitter.com/Uo20tThskW
— Kimberly Paynter (@KPaynter) October 11, 2017
Luckily for Javier and other immigrants, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents tend to avoid churches. After nearly a year of avoiding federal detention, Javier packed a few belongings and moved in with Robin Hynicka, the church’s pastor. For 11 months, Javier would just meditate and pray to God for his family’s welfare, and that one day he to could return to them.
For 11 months, Javier would just meditate and pray to God for his family’s welfare, and that one day he to could return to them.
The church and other supporters did not sit by idly while Javier suffered in solitary confinement. They started raising money and signing petitions, believing Javier’s lawyer, Gian-Grasso, that his client had a strong case. Javier came to the U.S. illegally in 1997 and was deported repeatedly but after being stabbed in 2004, Mr. Flores helped the police catch their suspect, thus qualifying him for a special visa, however, his past deportations complicated the matter, but quick thinking and sanctuary bought him time.
Javier came to the U.S. illegally in 1997 and was deported repeatedly, but after being stabbed in 2004, Mr. Flores helped the police catch their suspect, thus qualifying him for a special visa. His past deportations complicated the matter, though, but quick thinking and sanctuary bought him some time.
Attorney Gian-Grasso believes that after past attempts of getting Javier a visa, that now it was a done deal and he could get it as soon as early next year. After that, he will have to check in with ICE in order to guarantee his freedom.
It’s amazing how far a little faith can take you, hopefully, Javier will get to live many happy moments with his family in this country for a long time. After thanking those who helped him, Flores told CBS-3 TV that his first act would be a good dinner and to laugh freely without fear.
Article inspired by Philadelphia CBS // Mexican Father Holed Up In Church Now Free After 11 Months