ARIZONA NEWS

ICE issues deportation stay for man taking refuge in Phoenix church

Feb 12, 2018, 5:26 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm

(Screenshot)...

(Screenshot)

(Screenshot)

PHOENIX — Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a deportation stay Monday for man who took refuge inside of a Phoenix church.

Garrett Wilkes, the attorney for Jesus Berrones, said his client was issued a one-year stay after his case made headlines. He will be required to check in regularly with ICE officials.

Related: Phoenix church offers sanctuary to man with deportation order

Berrones, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who had twice been deported, sought refuge at Shadow Rock United Church of Christ near Thunderbird Road and Seventh Street on Friday as he was set to be removed from the country again.

Prior to the stay being issued, Berrones said he wanted to remain in the United States to help care for his 5-year-old son, who has leukemia.

“I want them to give me a last chance to stay with my family and to be here with them, to support them, to help them so I can have a place for them to live and to fix my papers and to be here in good status in the United States,” he said.

His lawyer, Garrett Wilkes, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that Berrones had been granted a yearlong stay of removal in 2016 by the federal government but the next application was denied.

Court documents showed Berrones had been arrested as a teenager in 2006 for having a fake ID. He voluntarily went back to Mexico but came back illegally a short time later.

He was arrested on illegal re-entry charges in 2016. Wilkes said that conviction was set aside.

Related: Arizona churches offer immigrants sanctuary

Berrones was brought to Arizona as a toddler by his parents and attended Phoenix schools.

His 24-year-old wife is an American citizen.

Berrones’ voluntary removal as an adult disqualified him for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Wilkes said.

Pastor Ken Heintzelman said there are two ways to look at the situation.

“On the one hand, you can say he’s been deported twice,” he said. “That is illegal reentry into the country. I understand that language.

“I think another way of looking at it is to say, ‘Here’s a father that is determined to be with his family, to take care of his family and especially to be here for his child, who is struggling for his life with cancer.’”

Heintzelman said the church sees offering some people refuge as the right thing to do.

“Sometimes, there are higher laws, higher principles of compassion and love that more legalistic minds can’t quite get their heads wrapped around,” he said.

According to the ICE website, churches, schools and hospitals were considered “sensitive locations” and officials avoid making arrests at those places if possible.

Arrests can be made under three circumstances: imminent danger to life and/or property, other law enforcement actions led ICE to the location or ICE had received prior approval from a designated supervisory official.

KTAR News’ Griselda Zetino Kathy Cline contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

This rendering shows what the Mesa Grandview Business Park will look like upon completion. (Photo v...

Serena O'Sullivan

Construction starts on 270,000-square-foot industrial development in Mesa’s Falcon District

Several companies related to the Mesa Grandview Business Park gathered with city officials for the groundbreaking of the industrial development.

8 hours ago

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning...

David Veenstra

CarMax hiring for new West Valley reconditioning and auction center

CarMax, the nation’s largest used vehicle seller, is hiring after announcing a new reconditioning and auction center in the West Valley on Thursday.

9 hours ago

Emergency air medical base opens at Abrazo West Campus Goodyear...

Serena O'Sullivan

New emergency helicopter base opens at West Valley hospital

A new emergency air medical base in Goodyear will expand the presence of life-saving care provider Air Methods, the company said on Wednesday.

11 hours ago

DOGE access lawsuit...

KTAR.com

Arizona to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

Arizona is about 12 states that plan to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data

12 hours ago

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay on Thursday during an event to ...

Kevin Stone

Arizona governor calls for pay raise for firefighters while honoring those who battled LA wildfires

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called for increased state firefighter pay while honoring the task force members who helped battle the Los Angeles wildfires.

15 hours ago

free wigs...

Kevin Stone

Arizona cancer support group opening free wig salon in Phoenix

An Arizona cancer support organization is launching an initiative to provide patients and survivors experiencing hair loss with free wigs.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

ICE issues deportation stay for man taking refuge in Phoenix church