Feds Grant Stays For Sanctuary Immigrants Jeanette Vizguerra, Arturo Hernandez Garcia

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Federal officials Thursday granted temporary stays for Arturo Hernandez Garcia and Jeanette Vizguerra.

This means Vizguerra can leave the church basement she has been living in. Garcia, a father and small business owner, was granted a temporary stay earlier in May to attend his daughter's graduation. 

"I am very happy to be able to share these important moments of her life," Garcia said in Spanish.

Both Vizguerra and Garcia were granted stays by the Immigration Customs and Enforcement service until 2019.

• What Makes A Church A Sanctuary For Undocumented Immigrants?

"I am pleased to hear that Jeanette and Arturo have been granted temporary stays," said Sen. Bennet, in a statement. "These Coloradans have lived in our state for years, contributed to our economy and should never have been targets for deportation in the first place."

Bennet, along with Reps. Jared Polis and Ed Perlmutter, introduced private bills in Congress on their behalf.

Immigration lawyer Hans Meyer said he wishes his clients could have a role in shaping immigration reform.

"We should have Donald Trump, who always likes to be around the best people, sit down with one of the 100 most influential people on the planet," Meyer said, referring to Time Magazine's recent inclusion of Vizguerra in this year's Time 100.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Vizguerra has no criminal record. She was convicted several years ago of possessing forged documents.