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Elizabeth Today
By the People, for the People
N.J. Pastor Returns to Sunday Service After ICE Release
Yeison Cortes Vasquez was detained for over a month before being freed on bond with a GPS monitor.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:09am
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The return of a beloved pastor provides a moment of joy, but also underscores the ongoing fear and disruption caused by ICE detentions within immigrant church communities.Elizabeth TodayYeison Cortes Vasquez, a pastor in Elizabeth, New Jersey, returned to his church's Sunday service one day after being released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Vasquez was detained on March 20 for overstaying his tourist visa from Colombia. His parishioners were overjoyed to see him back, with many crying during the service.
Why it matters
The detention of Vasquez highlights the impact ICE enforcement actions can have on Latino church communities, with pastors and parishioners often living in fear of deportation. Vasquez's case also underscores the legal challenges faced by immigrants who overstay their visas.
The details
Vasquez was detained by ICE on March 20 while working his day job in food delivery. The Department of Homeland Security said he had overstayed his tourist visa from Colombia that expired in 2016. After being held in detention for over a month, Vasquez was released on bond with a GPS monitor while he undergoes further removal proceedings.
- Vasquez was detained by ICE on March 20, 2026.
- Vasquez was released from ICE custody on April 12, 2026.
- Vasquez returned to his Sunday service on April 13, 2026, one day after his release.
The players
Yeison Cortes Vasquez
A pastor at The Gathering Place church in Elizabeth, New Jersey, who was detained by ICE for overstaying his tourist visa from Colombia.
Enid Almanzar
A fellow pastor with the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, who said ICE detainments have ravaged the Latino church community.
Margarita Lainez
A parishioner at The Gathering Place church who said everyone cried during the service when Vasquez returned.
Guido Rodriguez
A parishioner at The Gathering Place church who said the feeling of Vasquez's return was indescribable.
What they’re saying
“We've seen anywhere from a 30% to an even 80% drop in attendance because people are just simply afraid to come out.”
— Enid Almanzar, Pastor, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
“I cried a lot for my wife and daughters and my church, but God had a purpose.”
— Yeison Cortes Vasquez, Pastor
“A thousand and a thousand thank you for taking care of my daughters and my wife.”
— Yeison Cortes Vasquez, Pastor
“We all cried today at the service. Like, everyone cried.”
— Margarita Lainez
“It's a feeling you just can't explain.”
— Guido Rodriguez
What’s next
Vasquez will continue to undergo further removal proceedings while released on bond with a GPS monitor.
The takeaway
This case highlights the fear and disruption that ICE enforcement actions can cause within Latino church communities, as pastors and parishioners worry about potential detention and deportation. It also underscores the complex legal challenges faced by immigrants who overstay their visas, even those who are actively involved in their local communities.
