• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / News / Edith Espinal leaves sanctuary at Columbus Mennonite after 40 months
Feb 19 2021

Edith Espinal leaves sanctuary at Columbus Mennonite after 40 months

Edith Espinal leaves Columbus Mennonite Church for the first time in 40 months. Photo by Elisa Leahy.

 

Edith Espinal was finally able to return home for the first time after living in sanctuary at Columbus (Ohio) Mennonite Church for more than three years. The mother of three was undocumented and living in Columbus with her family when she received an Order of Removal in 2017, which led her to seek sanctuary. On Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, ICE officers granted Espinal an Order of Supervision, providing her with the freedom to safely leave sanctuary after 40 months.

Joel Miller, pastor, shared the good news in a letter to the Columbus Mennonite congregation:

“Today Edith is able to leave the sanctuary of the church to live her life with her family. This is an answer to months and years of prayer. It’s a result of Edith’s patience and persistence, and the support of this congregation and wider community.

“So how did this happen?

“Soon after the new administration began, Edith, along with a number of others in sanctuary, applied to the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office for a stay of removal – an official pause to her order of deportation. Like other times, this application was denied. But, unlike other times, the ICE office followed up with us, suggesting a path forward for Edith. The catch was that Edith would need to report in person.

Supporters wait for Edith Espinal outside the ICE offices in Westerville, Ohio. Photo by Elisa Leahy.

“After careful consideration with her attorney, Edith decided to take this risk. [That] morning a group of us [from CMC and the community] gathered outside the ICE office. Six of us were able to go in and meet with four ICE officers. They had reviewed her case once again and, in line with the new administration’s directives, Edith is not considered a priority for removal. 

“Edith is now under an order of supervision, a fairly standard arrangement. She will do a monthly check-in with her ICE case manager, which simply involves sending a picture of herself tagged with GPS through an app. Every four months, she will do an in-person check-in, which could become less frequent in future years, if she complies with check-ins.

“In the meantime, she is able to live at home, shop, dine, move about without being monitored, travel outside the state and get a work permit. This also gives her time to pursue more permanent status. Although there are no guarantees, we are quite optimistic that she is not under threat of detention or deportation under this administration. 

“In short, while not being the final answer to her needs, today is big. Edith was, of course, relieved, tearful and overjoyed with what transpired. 

“Edith was in sanctuary 40 months. With Lent just beginning, I’m mindful that this is a season of 40 days, mirroring Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and the Israelites’ 40 years in the desert. After 40 years comes the promised land. After 40 days of Lent comes Easter. After 40 months of sanctuary comes a new-found freedom and family reunion. Edith is sleeping at home tonight. We’re all celebrating resurrection a little early this year.”

Edith Espinal returns home for the first time in more than three years. Photo by Elizabeth Leahy.

In an interview, Miller said, “Edith’s patience, persistence and perseverance are at the center of this.” He added that he is thankful to the Columbus Mennonite congregation for opening their doors to provide sanctuary to her, noting that it “speaks volumes about the soul work that they have done.” Espinal was unavailable for comment.

He also expressed thanks for local support: “Our community rallied around Edith, including our neighbors, our city, other faith leaders and a core group of supporters who worked directly with her.”

Miller asks for continued prayer for Espinal:

  • Pray for the Espinal family as they settle into their new life together.
  • Pray that Edith can obtain a work permit to help support her family.
  • Pray that Edith can secure permanent resident status.

Donations to the Espinal family can be made here.

Columbus Mennonite Church is a congregation of Mennonite Church USA (USA). MC USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 530 congregations and 62,000 members. An Anabaptist Christian denomination, MC USA is part of Mennonite World Conference, a global faith family that includes churches in 58 countries. It has offices in Elkhart, Indiana and Newton, Kansas.  mennoniteUSA.org

For more information on Edith Espinal’s journey

Columbus Mennonite Church provides sanctuary, helps a mother fight to keep her family together (MC USA website)

As Biden floats immigration plan, Edith Espinal leaves 3-year stint in sanctuary (Religion News Service)

Edith Espinal reunited with family, attorney credits Biden’s policy changes (The Columbus Dispatch)

Immigration Justice: Radial Hospitality LPJ

We seek to join in God’s healing work regarding immigration, trusting that God goes before us and desires wholeness and well-being for all people. (from MC USA Churchwide Statement on Immigration)

You are invited to get involved with the work for Immigration Justice: Radical Hospitality as we offer resources to Learn, Pray, Join.

FIND RESOURCES TO LEARN, PRAY, JOIN FOR IMMIGRATION JUSTICE
DONATE TO IMMIGRATION JUSTICE
  • Posted in Immigration, News
  • Tagged Columbus Mennonite Church, Edith Espinal, ICE, immigration, Immigration Justice, Joel Miller, Learn, Learn Pray Join for Immigration Justice, Lent, Pray, sanctuary churches
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail
Official comments policy for users of Mennonite Church USA’s websites and other social networking tools. We reserve the right to remove any comment that violates this policy.
  • The purpose of comments is to engage in constructive dialogue.
  • Please provide your own full name.
  • Be respectful. If you’re offering criticism, focus on others’ ideas — not their motives, person, character or faith. Consider the log in your own eye before pressing ‘Enter.’
Comments are moderated. Comments with any content that is deemed obscene, libelous, defamatory or hateful toward an individual or group will not be approved. Comments will remain open for 10 days.
    --
Política de comentarios oficiales para los usuarios de los sitios en Internet y otras herramientas de redes sociales pertenecientes a la Iglesia Menonita de EE.UU. Nos reservamos el derecho de eliminar cualquier comentario que viola esta política.
  • El propósito de los comentarios es entablar el diálogo constructivo.
  • Por favor brinde su propio nombre completo.
  • Sea respetuoso. Si ofrece críticas, enfóquese en las ideas del otro, no en sus motivos, su persona, su carácter o su fe. Considere la viga en su propio ojo antes de apretar ‘Intro’
Los comentarios son analizados. Aquellos comentarios que contengan contenido que se considere obsceno, calumnioso, difamatorio u odioso hacia algún individuo o grupo no será aprobado. Los comentarios permanecerán abiertos por 10 días.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE