Durham church offers sanctuary to man facing deportation

The congregation at City Well United Methodist Church in Durham says it is trying to live out God's word. The church is serving as the sanctuary to an immigrant facing deportation after living in the United States for 22 years.

Reverend Cleve May says he expects some won't agree with the decision, but the church congregation is proud to be helping him.

“We pray that your spirit would pour out upon us on this place,” May said.

The sanctuary is home to Samuel Oliver-Bruno indefinitely.

After 22 years in the United States, he is only safe from deportation in the church, as ICE will not to arrest anyone who is inside a church, hospital or school.

Speaking through a translator, Oliver-Bruno thanked the congregation for offering him sanctuary.

"I cannot give up. I have to fight for my family. I have to stay because they need me," he said.

Oliver-Bruno is the sole breadwinner for his son, who's in high school and his wife, who has lupus.

The translator explained the serious medical condition makes her extremely weak.

"That's why I ask you to do everything possible. Everything in your power, so that he is not deported," he said.

His son calls his dad his hero.

"My dad is a wonderful man, a wonderful father, a wonderful husband," Daniel Oliver-Perez said. "He doesn't smoke. He doesn't drink. He doesn't have a criminal record. He's a hard worker."

Oliver-Bruno’s family is still living in Greenville, so that his son can finish high school. Daniel earned a scholarship to attend Pitt Community College and wants to finish his degree at East Carolina University.

They said it is hard to live apart.

Oliver-Bruno found the church thanks to a local nonprofit that helps immigrants.

May says God is calling his church to help.

"It may be currently legal in the United States to deport Samuel, but nowhere in God's Earth is this just," he said.

Oliver-Bruno said when he asked the ICE official why he is being deported after 22 years, they told him it is what the Trump administration wants.

"Until this system is changed, it is our obligation, it is our duty, it is our basic call of common humanity to stand in solidarity with those whom this system is crushing," May said.