Virginia church rallies behind Iranian sisters detained by immigration enforcement

A Virginia church is rallying behind two Iranian sisters active in the congregation who were recently detained by immigration enforcement officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands while traveling after Thanksgiving.

The U.S. Border Patrol Ramey Sector posted on its Facebook account last week that agents "encountered two illegal aliens from Iran" in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Ramey Sector agents responded and assumed custody of the individuals. Both subjects are being processed for removal proceedings," stated the Puerto Rico-based Ramey Sector.

"[U.S. Customs and Border Protection] in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands remains committed to securing our borders and safeguarding our communities."

According to a CBP statement last week, "CBP officers were conducting outbound operations at the Cyril E. King Airport when they encountered two Iranian national women who were determined to be illegally present in the U.S."

"No fun in the sun when you are unlawfully present," CBP stated. "In coordination with US Border Patrol Ramey Sector agents, the two women were arrested and transported to be processed for removal."

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