The mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts is questioning the tax-exempt status of a church that is sheltering an undocumented immigrant.
Mayor Domenic Sarno accused the South Congregational United Church of Christ of defying his “edict” that Springfield is not a sanctuary city.
He said housing someone in the church violates building, housing, and health codes and may jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the property.
"Legally I am going to have it reviewed and if they continue to do this they could be under the specter of a taxable property," Sarno told reporters Tuesday.
Members of the Springfield Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition say the church has taken in a woman who was facing deportation to Peru and separation from her two American-born children and husband.
