A Russian woman facing possible deportation has taken sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist church in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Irida Kakhtiranova entered the church Friday night. She came to the country in 2003.
Rose Bookbinder, an organizer with the Pioneer Valley Worker's Center, said the woman was repeatedly allowed to stay in the U.S. under the Obama Administration, but that the situation is different under President Donald Trump.
"She was alerted that her stay of removal was denied and she was asked to come to her next check-in with her passport, which indicated to her that they would, you know, detain her at that time," she said.
Bookbinder said the woman's three children and husband are all U.S. citizens.
On Tuesday, a press conference will be held at the church -- part of a campaign to leverage public support for Kakhtiranova to be permitted to remain in the country.
