Photo courtesy John Phelan
Springfield church will open its doors to illegal immigrants to provide sanctuary from deportation.
Springfield's Mayor Domenic Sarno has emphatically stated that Springfield is not a sanctuary city. The Mayor holds sway over police and municipal policy, but his power does not extend beyond the thresholds of houses of worship.
Today religious leaders and an activist group announced the creation of a sanctuary site for illegal immigrants at Springfield's South Congregational Church on Maple Street. Leaders of the church and six other churches have joined with the Pioneer Valley Project to support the sanctuary site. The Pioneer Valley Project is a grassroots social justice group comprised of faith organizations and community organizers.
The Pioneer Valley Project Claims 5,000 to 6,000 illegal immigrants live in Springfield.