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ICE Withdraws Big Fines for Immigrants Living in Churches

Associated Press

   COLUMBUS, OHIO - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reversing
   course months after threatening six-figure fines against immigrants
   taking sanctuary at churches.
   Seven women have been notified that ICE, using its discretion, is
   withdrawing its intent to pursue finesof$300,000ormorefor their refusal
   to leave the country as ordered, according to the National Sanctuary
   Collective, a coalition of attorneys, organizers and other advocates
   for them. They count it as a victory.
   ``We knew that these exorbitant fines were illegal and were nothing
   more than a tool to scare our clients and retaliate against them for
   fighting back and standing up to this administration,'' attorney
   Lizbeth Mateo, who represents a Mexican woman living at an Ohio church,
   said in a statement. Mateo said immigration officials should exercise
   the same discretion ``to release sanctuary families.''
   The immigrants have remained in the U.S. in violation of the law and
   still are subject to removal orders that ICE will enforce ``using any
   and all available means,'' agency spokesman Richard Rocha said in an
   email. He said ICE also could reassess the fines.

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