Supreme Court Decision Could Mean Hope For Sandra Lopez

The crowd in Carbondale waited for Sandra Lopez to emerge from the house she hadn’t left in almost a year.  

The undocumented Mexican immigrant had taken sanctuary with the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist congregation, living in their parsonage because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) doesn’t make arrests in what they call “sensitive locations,” like houses of worship.

In August, however, ICE confirmed Lopez is not a priority for removal. She told the crowd she was excited to be returning to her home in Silt.

“I’m very happy today,” she said. “Finally, I’m free.”

Click here to listen to the story that aired on Aspen Public Radio.