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Faith Leaders Declare Places Of Worship As Immigrant Sanctuaries

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Dozens of Twin Cities faith leaders made a united stand Tuesday, vowing to provide a safe place for immigrants at risk for deportation.

About 100 faith leaders with the social justice group ISAIAH gathered at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in St. Paul. The faith leaders, who are from several different congregations, say they are worried about President-elect Donald Trump's plans for immigrants living in the U.S.

The faith leaders say they will open their respective doors to undocumented immigrants who are in fear of deportation. They will also provide families with food, clothing and toiletries.

The immigrants will be able to stay in the worship places while sanctuary workers work on stay of removal orders for each person, ISAIAH spokesperson JaNae' Bates said.

"Where we worship is sacred. As a human being you are sacred. So as a human being you should be safe in our sacred place," Bates said. "As a Christian, as a black woman, as an American I cannot and I will not sit idly by as my neighbor cries out for relief."

Leaders in ISAIAH believe the group's stand for immigrants is based on faith and nonpartisan.

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