Immigrant who took sanctuary inside Philadelphia church for months finally free
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - An undocumented immigrant who took sanctuary inside a Philadelphia church almost a year ago is breathing fresh air this morning.
Javier Flores Garcia felt confident to leave the church Wednesday after obtaining a U-Visa, which few realize can be granted to certain crime victims who cooperate with police. Javier was nearly killed in an attack in 2004, when he was assaulted with a box cutter and left for dead.
Garcia went into sanctuary at the Arch Street Methodist Church in Center City 11 months ago to avoid being deported back to Mexico after living in the United States for 20 years.
Javier Flores Garcia stopped by Good Day Philadelphia Thursday morning along with his wife Alma, two of his three children, and Erika Almiron, the executive director of "Juntos," an organization that was great help to him.
You can hear more about Javier and his family's story in the video above.