District 3 Councilman Chris Ward By Mario A. Cortez This week a local church opened up its door as a safe space for members of the community facing the threat of deportation. First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest held a press conference at its campus to announce its decision to become a sanctuary congregation for immigrants who are at risk of being deported from the United States. The new “sanctuary congregation,” as the arrangement is dubbed, will offer a place to stay for those who have an active order of deportation and undergoing hearings, provided that they have legal representation. The church hopes that by providing a place to stay for immigrants facing their process that the respective legal processes can happen at an adequate pace and not be rushed.