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Pastor and Father of 3 Arrested for Overstaying Visa a Quarter-Century Ago
MARYLAND, JUL 25 – Maryland lawmakers emphasize Pastor Espinal's 24 years in the U.S. and no criminal record while urging his release from ICE custody to reunite with family.
- Daniel Omar Fuentes Espinal, a 54-year-old Honduran pastor and father of three, was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities on July 21 in Easton, Maryland, for remaining in the United States beyond the validity of his visa.
- In 2001, Espinal and his family moved to the United States to escape the violence and poverty in their hometown, and he has remained in the country since then without legal status and with no criminal record.
- Espinal has served as a volunteer pastor for 15 years at a local Church of the Nazarene, while also working in construction to help support his family, and is widely recognized for his charitable efforts within the community.
- Several lawmakers, including Maryland representatives Ivey, Elfreth, and Sen. Van Hollen, condemned the arrest as harmful to the community and called for Espinal's prompt release.
- Espinal was transferred to a Louisiana immigration facility for a hearing where he plans to request bond, while community members raised over $20,000 to support his legal defense.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Pastor and father of 3 arrested for overstaying visa a quarter-century ago
A Maryland pastor who fled Honduras 24 years ago to escape poverty and violence is waiting to hear when he will face an immigration judge after his arrest this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for overstaying his visa in 2001, his family said.
A pastor from Maryland, who fled Honduras to escape poverty and violence 24 years ago, was arrested on Monday by an Immigration and Customs Control Officer (ICE) for exceeding the time of his visa,...
By Alaa Elassar, CNN A Maryland pastor who fled Honduras to escape poverty and violence 24 years ago was arrested Monday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent for overstaying his visa, according to his family. Daniel Fuentes Espinal, a 54-year-old father of three, had just picked up a breakfast burrito from McDonald's when he noticed an unmarked vehicle following him, his daughter, Clarissa Fuentes Diaz, told CNN. While returning…
Two Maryland Lawmakers Call for Release of Easton Pastor Detained by ICE
Maryland’s Congressional Representatives Glenn Ivey and Sarah Elfreth are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release an Easton pastor after he was reportedly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week.
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