Christopher Peak / New Haven Indpendent

Updated at 11:15 p.m.
In the face of a deportation order, an Ecuadorian immigrant who came to the United States to flee violence has taken sanctuary in a New Haven church — an act of defiance that was welcomed Tuesday evening by the city’s political representatives and immigration advocates.

Originally worried about negative attention from going public with her story, Chavarria has now embraced her role as a figure in a national debate. “It’s good that people know [my situation]. It’s important for us, for everybody; not only for me,” she said.