Press Release: Evangelical Pastor Detained by ICE as Churches Prepare for Holy Week
- National Latino Evangelical Coalition
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2026
Contact: Michael Vazquez | michael@themaidengroup.co
Evangelical Pastor Detained by ICE as Churches Prepare for Holy Week
Newark, NJ — The National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) today laments the detention of Pastor Yeison Cortes Vasquez of The Gathering Place Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Friday March 20, calling it a “moral failure” that strikes at the very heart of the American church just days before Holy Week.
“Indiscriminate immigration enforcement over the last 14 months has torn apart American families and communities, and is now striking directly at the heart and soul of the nation: the Church. While we have always upheld the rule of law and supported the removal of those who pose real threats to public safety, the sweeping raids being carried out by ICE are indiscriminate, destabilizing, and profoundly unjust. The detention of Pastor Yeison Cortes Vasquez is not just a policy failure. It is a moral crisis.” said Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, President and Founder of NaLEC in a statement, adding, “Holy Week is when Christians remember the suffering of Christ and His command to love our neighbors as ourselves. To detain a pastor and deny him the basic dignity of his faith this sacred season is a moral contradiction that should trouble every American, regardless of political party or faith tradition.”
According to a landmark report from evangelical and Catholic leaders, one in twelve Christians in the United States is either at risk of deportation or lives in a household that could be torn apart by it, making this not just an immigration issue, but a crisis within the Church itself.
NaLEC called on federal authorities to immediately release Pastor Cortes Vasquez and to exercise prosecutorial discretion, particularly in cases involving clergy, community leaders, and individuals with deep ties to their congregations. In addition to being a leader in the local community, Pastor Cortes Vasquez is a loving husband and father of three young girls.
NaLEC also called on Congress and the Administration to end this indiscriminate immigration crackdown and seek a morally just and Biblically compassionate solution to America’s immigration crisis.
NaLEC reiterated its commitment to working with leaders across the political spectrum to advance solutions that uphold both the rule of law and the dignity of every person, pointing to its Faithful Witness campaign, which mobilizes evangelical leaders across the country to advocate for just immigration policies.
