Officials find way for Korean nuns who faced deportation to stay

Published: 2003-10-21

CLEVELAND (CNS) -- Two South Korean nuns in Cleveland who were facing deportation have had their prayers answered. Sister Mary Cecilia and Sister Catharina Laboure, members of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, will continue their life of prayer at the Poor Clare Monastery in downtown Cleveland after federal immigration officials found a way for them to stay in the United States. The nuns, who also are biological sisters, were close to being forced to leave the country because their request for visas as religious workers did not meet federal requirements. Chris Bentley, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security's Citizenship and Immigration Services in Washington, said the sisters will be allowed to stay as temporary business workers. The sisters will receive renewable one-year visas once the appropriate paperwork is filed on their behalf, he said. Cleveland attorney Donald O'Connor, who is representing the sisters, said the necessary applications were filed Oct. 16. "Everything is resolved," he said. "I'm elated."

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