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Congressmen Decry Detention Of Immigrant Who Left Church

Democratic Reps. David Price, left, and G.K Butterfield have come to the defense of a Mexican national they say was entrapped by federal authorities. Photos courtesy NCGA.

Two North Carolina congressmen are slamming the Trump administration as "callous" and "cruel" after an immigrant who sought refuge from deportation in a church was arrested after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials.

Democratic Reps. David Price and G.K. Butterfield said Mexican national Samuel Oliver-Bruno appeared to have been entrapped by federal officials when he was detained Friday at a Raleigh-area immigration office.

The advocacy group Alerta Migratoria NC said Oliver-Bruno went to have fingerprints taken so he could apply to stay in North Carolina with his wife and son. He spent 11 months in a Durham church to avoid immigration authorities.

Price and Butterfield say they will fight to keep Oliver-Bruno with his family, and have received assurances from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he will remain in the U.S. while his case is adjudicated.

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