Rally Organized In Westchester For Mother Facing Separation From Family

There will be a rally in Westchester for a Guatemalan mother who took sanctuary in a New York City church and faces separation from her family.

There will be a rally in Mamaroneck for Debora Barrios-Vasquez, who took sanctuary in a New York City church and faces separation from her family.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Zak Failla

07/12/2018 12:23 p.m.

Debora Barrios-Vasquez, 32, fled Guatemala in 2005 and has lived in Mamaroneck for years with her two young children, who are both United States citizens. She is now facing deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after taking sanctuary in the St. Paul and St. Andrew Methodist Church in Manhattan.

In response, local residents have organized a rally to support Barrios-Vasquez and her family. The rally will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 at the Community Resource Center on Center Avenue in Mamaroneck. Anyone who wants to speak at the vigil can do so by calling (914) 835-1512.

According to officials, “about 3,000 children have been separated from their parents at the southwest border as part of President Donald Trump’s illegal 'zero tolerance' policy of criminally prosecuting asylum-seeking parents. Many of the children are under the age of 5.”

ICE official Robert Guadian said children under age 5, some still breastfeeding, are detained in 23 facilities across 13 states. The Department of Health and Human Services has an estimated 11,800 migrant minors in custody.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.