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A federal lawsuit, filed a day before Biden
took office last month, demands that Washington cancel fines of about $60,000 each levied against Ramírez in Austin and women housed in churches in Salt Lake City; Columbus, Ohio; and Charlottesville, Va. The suit against the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement labels the fines excessive and retaliation for the women’s public advocacy on behalf of sanctuary. It also alleges violations of constitutional rights of freedom of speech, association and religious practice.
Iván Ramirez, playing outside St. Andrew’s when he was 10, is now 14 and attending middle school in Austin.