JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers STILL HERE—During a rally last Sunday, Jim Ibbotson, left, and another protester who would not give his name demand that the United Church of Christ of Simi Valley stop breaking the law by harboring an illegal immigrant. About 30 protesters demonstrated outside United Church of Christ in Simi Valley on Sunday—just as they have every Sunday morning for nearly a year.

The day marked the symbolic first anniversary of picketing by anti-illegal-immigration groups to protest the decision by the church on Royal Avenue to provide sanctuary to a mother of three whom immigration officials have marked for deportation.

"Our goal is simple—enforcement of our immigration laws and protection of our citizens from illegal alien invaders," said Barbara Coe, chairperson of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, the main group behind the weekly protests.

Inside the church, Rev. June C. Goudey conducted services for the 80-member congregation as usual.

In attendance was Liliana, the Oxnard woman who sparked the protests when the church decided to take in the 29-year-old and her youngest son. Liliana won't disclose her last name for fear of repercussions to her family. She'd been living in a Long Beach office building for three months before coming to Simi.

"Liliana attends the church with her family although she is Catholic," Goudey said. "There is tremendous support for her . . . among (our) congregation."

Guest speakers at Sunday's service included actor Martin Sheen, a political activist best known for his role in the longrunning television drama "The West Wing."

Referring to the speakers, Goudey would only say, "They were here to support the family."

It was Liliana's case that prompted the UCC to vote to become a sanctuary congregation. Goudey is a board member of the Ventura County Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, a group promoting a national movement to help families who are being separated due to immigration laws the group considers unjust.

"We're continuing to prayerfully offer (Liliana) sanctuary and hospitality while her case is being dealt with legally," Goudey said.

On most Sundays only a handful of protesters show up. However, coalition members say they represent hundreds of people in 42 states who support their cause.

Since the protest group's website called for new recruits to mark the anniversary, 10 officers from the Simi Valley Police Department patrolled the area, anticipating a bigger rally.

"Everyone complied with the law and there were no arrests," said Lt. Paul Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for the department.

July 27 actually marked the first anniversary of a demonstration in Long Beach by the antiillegal immigration group, Minutemen. At that time, 60 members voiced their opposition to an Episcopal church giving Liliana sanctuary.

On Sept. 16, 2007, Save Our State, another antiillegal immigration group, organized the first rally at the Simi Valley church. It attracted more than 120 protesters and counterprotesters, and additional police units had to be called in after the two sides began an extended shouting match.

"Every rally is another step forward for we who feel our laws should be enforced," Coe said. "It might be a small rally or a large rally, as long as we are consistently there making our point."

Protesters drive from places like Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Westminster to attend the Sunday rallies in Simi Valley.

Lupe Marino from Santa Ana has picketed the church for the past year. She's a member of Latino Americans for Immigration Reform. Marino, who is Hispanic, said Liliana's racial origins have nothing to do with the protest.

"Why do people think because I'm a Latina I don't have to obey the laws?" Marino said. "I don't care where someone comes from. We have to stand with our nation's laws otherwise there's anarchy."

Liliana puts a human face on the nation's immigration dilemma.

Born in the city of Panindicuaro in Michoacan, Mexico, she said she received permission to work in the U.S. in 2003, but when she applied for residency in 2004, she was denied. This made her a target of immigration officials, and by May 2007 she was threatened with deportation although her husband and three children are all U.S. citizens.

Liliana lives with her infant son in a four-bedroom house on the church grounds. Her husband and two elementary-age children visit her weekly.

Marino believes the church's religious teachings are off course.

"These (sanctuary) churches have gotten away from their foundation of what they're suppose to be doing, teaching what is right," Marino said.

Area residents display mixed reactions to the protesters.

"We get honking horns and thumbs up," Coe said. "We also get (middle fingers) from people driving by."

In a written statement, church officials said they are working with attorneys so the families in sanctuary have a fair hearing.

"We are keeping our spirits up," Goudey said. "We continue to do what we do."