(CNN) Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday rescinded a nearly half-million dollar fine against Edith Espinal, an undocumented immigrant who has been living inside a church in Columbus, Ohio, in order to avoid deportation, according to advocate groups. ICE also withdrew fines for six other women who were living inside churches across the country to avoid deportation, according to the National Sanctuary Collective. The fines drew national attention earlier this year and spawned legislation to grant Espinal deportation relief. Richard Rocha, a spokesperson for ICE, said in a statement that Espinal and the others are still violating the law. "ICE will pursue enforcement of these removal orders using any and all available means, and has reserved the right to reassess fines in these cases.

Source: CNN October 22, 2019 23:03 UTC