ICE detains pastor with no criminal record in New Jersey during Holy Week

Pastor with no criminal record detained by ICE

ICE sparks religious controversy

Community demands immediate release

A pastor in New Jersey was detained by immigration agents while working delivering food, according to members of his church.

He is Yeison Cortes Vasquez, who was arrested on March 20 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The man is a pastor at The Gathering Place church, located in Elizabeth, according to CBS News.

Why it matters: The case has raised concern among religious leaders and reopens the debate over the priorities of immigration policies.

Pastor detained by ICE weeks before Easter

Today, @RepMenendez and I visited the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, where we met with Pastor Yeison Cortés Vázquez.

Pastor Vásquez remains detained during this Holy Week with no criminal record, and though his detention is unjustified, he remains in good spirits.… pic.twitter.com/PL8L9yuLh8

— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) April 2, 2026

Officials from the National Latino Evangelical Coalition stated that the pastor had no criminal record before the ICE arrest.

They indicated that he is currently being held at Delaney Hall in Newark.

According to the coalition, the pastor has been providing spiritual support to other detainees.

They also confirmed that steps have already been taken to hire a lawyer.

The Department of Homeland Security offered a different version of his immigration status.

A spokesperson said Yeison Cortes Vasquez entered the country in January 2016 from Colombia.

They added that he remained longer than permitted by his tourist visa. That visa reportedly expired in July 2016.

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“Contrary to the laws of our nation, he knowingly remained in the country beyond the time permitted by his visa,” the statement said.

DHS indicated that the pastor will remain in ICE custody while deportation proceedings are carried out as a consequence of his arrest.

They also rejected allegations regarding religious restrictions inside the detention center.

Reactions from religious leaders

Pastor Yeison Cortés Vásquez was unjustifiably detained in Delaney Hall, and is actively being denied a Bible during the Holy Week.

ICE continues to prove its cruelty with every passing day, and it must be dismantled. pic.twitter.com/wW0LGGhmtR

— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) April 2, 2026

The detention of Yeison Cortes Vasquez sparked a strong reaction among evangelical community leaders.

“This is not just about a pastor,” said Reverend Enid Almanzar.

“It’s about the kind of nation we are becoming,” she added.

At The Gathering Place church, the impact has been profound.

Reverend Dan Méndez described the situation as devastating.

“For us, this is devastating because we are in Holy Week,” he said.

He added that the congregation is emotionally affected.

“Instead of celebrating, we are crying and praying,” he stated.

Reverend Gabriel Salguero also criticized the detention.

“We didn’t vote for this. We don’t support it,” he said outside the detention center.

He noted that Yeison Cortes Vasquez has lived in the country for more than a decade.

He also emphasized that he has no criminal record.

Political pressure and calls for release

The case has also reached the political arena.

New Jersey Congressman Rob Menendez visited the detained pastor.

New York Representative Adriano Espaillat also visited.

Both lawmakers are Democrats.

Espaillat questioned the focus of deportations.

“This was supposed to be for violent criminals,” he said.

He emphasized that in this case the ICE arrest involves a pastor and a father.

Meanwhile, religious leaders are seeking his release before Easter Sunday.

The community insists that Yeison Cortes Vasquez should be allowed to return to his church.

The case continues to generate debate over immigration priorities in the United States.