Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz says he supports the decision of a local church to provide sanctuary to a Russian woman.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Northampton and Florence took in Irida Kakhtiranova, who is avoiding deportation, last week.
Narkewicz released a statement yesterday saying his administration will not interfere with what he called a principled act of conscience from the congregation.
Kakhtiranova was part of a press conference held by the church to discuss the matter on Tuesday.
The woman was persecuted in her native Russia when she fell in love with a woman.
She then came to this country seeking a new life.