Immigrant living in church leaves sanctuary for surgery

: Category: Politics; Published: 18 May 2018

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - A man living in a Massachusetts church as he tries to avoid deportation to his native Guatemala was forced to leave the sanctuary for the first time in months to have his appendix removed.

After the emergency procedure, supporters of Lucio Perez^[1] escorted him back to First Congregational Church^[2] in Amherst on Thursday. They say they feared he could be taken into custody while outside the church^[3]’s walls, but an immigration official dismissed that idea.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman John Mohan tells the Boston Globe there was no attempt to apprehend Perez^[4]. He says policy generally bars agents from trying to take anyone into custody at places like churches and hospitals.

Perez^[5] came to the U.S. without proper documentation 20 years ago. He moved into the church^[6] in October.

___

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com

The Washington Times Comment Policy

The Washington Times is switching its third-party commenting system from Disqus to Spot.IM. You will need to either create an account with Spot.im or if you wish to use your Disqus account look under the Conversation for the link "Have a Disqus Account?". Please read our Comment Policy^[7] before commenting.References^ Lucio Perez (www.washingtontimes.com)^ First Congregational Church (www.washingtontimes.com)^ church (www.washingtontimes.com)^ Perez (www.washingtontimes.com)^ Perez (www.washingtontimes.com)^ church (www.washingtontimes.com)^ Comment Policy (www.washingtontimes.com)