For Immediate Release
January 27th, 2009
Contact: Rabbi Laurie Coskey, (858) 231.9933, RabbiLaurie@ICWJ.org
or Elizabeth Maldonado, (619) 417.8197, Elizabeth@ICWJ.org
Community outcry over sisters apprehended by ICE
Two SDSU students from Albania threatened with deportation
SAN DIEGO – Seeking to halt the deportation of two sisters who have lived in San Diego most of their lives, clergy leaders and the faith community will hold a rally and press conference tomorrow in front of the federal building downtown. Over the past year, the sisters have been supported by local members of a faith-based sanctuary movement.
Rally in Support of Releasing Zace Sisters!
11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28
880 Front Street, San Diego 92101
At 6 a.m. Friday, January 23 Aluisa and Ledia Zace were woken by flashlights shining in their bedroom window and banging on their front door. The two sisters are now detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, pending deportation.
The sisters came to the United States at ages 8 and 9, when their family sought political asylum from their native country of Albania. In 2007, after ICE deported their father to Albania, they turned to the New Sanctuary Movement (NSM) for support.
The NSM is a national movement of faith communities committed to supporting immigrant families and advocating for comprehensive reform of unjust immigration laws. In San Diego, three families, including the Zace sisters, have been given sanctuary.
John Joyce met the sisters when they began attending his church 12 years ago, and said he considers himself a part of their family.
"We are simply heartbroken that Aluisa and Ledia have been taken away," said Joyce, an employee with San Diego City Schools. "My wife and I have watched these two sweet girls grow up to be amazing young ladies with beautiful hearts. Losing them would be a real travesty; the pain of such a loss cannot be described in word. "
Both sisters have excelled in academics and graduated from Serra High School with 4.3 and 4.6 GPAs, respectfully. They currently are enrolled at San Diego State University, and both volunteer at their church and at a local hospital.
Nearly 100 people are expected to participate in tomorrow's rally. Faith leaders, elected officials, community leaders and many people of faith will express their support for the Zace sisters and ask for a review of their case.
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Wishing you a blessed and beautiful day,
Elizabeth "Lisa" Maldonado
Outreach Coordinator
Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice of San Diego County
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