An undocumented Ossining couple says they have been granted a temporary stay of removal, and can leave the local church where they have been seeking sanctuary.

Juan Guambana and Maria Tenesaca moved into the South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry Monday, days after they were set to leave the country.

But a news conference at the church Wednesday revealed a victory for the undocumented immigrant community in the Hudson Valley.

The family says an attorney had first advised them to start removal proceedings in order to be granted asylum. Immigration advocates say that was bad advice and the attorney should have known the family would not qualify.

The Hudson Valley Community Coalition, an immigration advocacy group, then got involved in the case. They connected the family with an attorney who was able to successfully petition the decision, resulting in a stay of removal. This means that the couple can go home as they wait for their case to go before a judge.

Immigrant advocates want to raise awareness about attorneys they say are misleading immigrants through the immigration process.

"This family has spent until now about $30,000 trying to legalize their situation in this country," says Luis Yumbla of the Hudson Valley Community Coalition. "In the end they're facing deportation, that is not fair."

The Guambanas moved to Ossining 24 years ago from Ecuador. 

It is unclear when the couples' case will go before a judge.