HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (AP) — Indonesian immigrants given sanctuary at a New Jersey church after being ordered to leave the U.S. are telling stories of religious persecution that drove them out of their country.
They spoke at an event Friday during a visit by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney. She is sponsoring a bill to allow them to apply for asylum.
The New York Democrat visited The Reformed Church of Highland Park to urge passage of the bill that would apply to Indonesian Christians once living in the U.S. under a special agreement.
Maloney says the U.S. should uphold its tradition of supporting people fleeing religious persecution.
A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the three men living at the church have all been given final orders of deportation.
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