Watch 11 News reporter Karla Barguiarena's report

Saul Arellano, son of an undocumented woman who took refuge in a church for more than a year, described the moment his mother was taken away from him.

“They handcuffed her and they threw her in the car,” Saul said.

He’s not describing a movie but a scene from his own life.

“She just blessed me and told me they weren’t going to do nothing to her,” he said.

Those were the last words the eight-year-old boy heard from his mother Elvira Arellano before she was ripped from his arms.

It was to be the last chapter in a year long struggle for this undocumented mother and U.S. born son to stay together.

“It just seemed wrong to just give up and turn herself in,” Rev. Walter Coleman said.

So for one year, he opened the doors of his Chicago church to provide a sanctuary for Elvira and her son.

“Elvira felt like she had to do something different,” Rev. Coleman said.

The woman, who is now back in Mexico, became the face of the more than 12 million undocumented immigrants who are fighting to stay in the United States.

But after talks of immigration reform fell through in Washington, Elvira left the church and as expected was deported to Mexico after being picked up by immigration agents.

Now, it’s those she has left behind who are continuing the fight.

“To tell President Bush to stop the raids and deportations so my mom and other families can stay here,” Saul said.

For him, it’s not a matter of documented or undocumented but keeping families together.