Church: We're a sanctuary for illegal immigrants

PORTLAND, Ore. - Officials with a local church say they will break the law if necessary to help aid illegal immigrants.

The Rev. Mark Knutson, who leads Portland's Augustana Lutheran Church, said his church is one of two area churches involved in the "sanctuary movement." The idea is to provide a place for illegal immigrants to go if they want to escape deportation. Knutson also has his congregation help them every week and would house one of needed.

"You never worry about what could happen when you feel like you are doing the right thing as a congregation," Knutson said. "One of our callings as people of faith is to welcome the person who is new to the land, the stranger."

The church has been feeding illegal immigrants, giving them clothes and counseling them for 10 years.

On Tuesday night, members of other churches learned about how they too may help illegal immigrants.

An elder at a Presbyterian church, though, said he has helped four refugee families immigrate legally and believers should focus on helping those following the law.

"It's so much different from just walking across the border, and now you're here," said Bill Coddington of St. Mark Presbyterian church.

A California church recently faced a community backlash after leaders allowed a Mexican woman facing deportation to live in their building. 

An immigration law attorney said people could face a felony, fines and prison if they are charged with harboring an illegal alien.