NEW YORK, NY May 09, 2007 —At lease eight churches and several religious groups across the city have joined a national movement to protect immigrants facing deportation. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: This so-called new sanctuary movement is part symbolism and part action. Religious leaders who were gathered at a catholic church in Manhattan say the debate over immigration reform focuses too much on border security and not enough on the human effect policies have on families. Reverend Samuel Cruz from Holy Trinity Lutheran church says too many politicians remain silent on the issue.

CRUZ:I am here this morning because together with other lutheran churches in southwest Brooklyn, New York, we want to raise our loud voices in the midst of the loud silence. Because silence equals death.

REPORTER: Religious organizations say they will offer families facing deportation spiritual as well as financial support...and they insist they aren't doing anything illegal as long as they don't hide families from federal authorities. But immigration officials say deportation orders issued by a judge should be obeyed. For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.