For 24 years, Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal quietly served the Easton, Maryland, community—feeding the hungry, comforting the brokenhearted, and preaching the Gospel. But earlier this week, the 54-year-old father of three was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying a six-month visa issued in 2001.

Espinal, a native of Honduras, now sits in a Louisiana detention center awaiting an immigration hearing. The pastor of Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama was apprehended while returning to a construction site after stopping at Lowe’s and grabbing breakfast from McDonald’s. He reportedly had no idea what was happening until ICE agents placed him in handcuffs.

“He has been in the U.S. for 24 years, has no criminal record and is known throughout Easton for providing food, shelter, clothing, emergency funds and emotional support to its most vulnerable residents,” reads a statement on a GoFundMe campaign launched to support his family. As of Sunday, it had raised over $33,000.

ICE officials confirmed Espinal entered the U.S. on a temporary visa and never left. “It is a federal crime to overstay the authorized period of time granted under a visitor’s visa,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement.

‘Not a Criminal, but a Pastor’

Despite his immigration status, Espinal’s reputation as a man of deep faith and compassion has earned him widespread support. His daughter, Clarissa Fuentes Diaz, told CNN her father had no prior deportation orders and was unaware he was being targeted for arrest. She said the ICE agents were kind, but the ordeal has devastated their family.

After being briefly held in Salisbury and then Baltimore, Espinal was moved to a detention center in Louisiana. While the conditions have improved—he is now receiving needed medication for heart and stomach conditions—his loved ones remain shaken. “He is doing a lot better than in Baltimore,” Fuentes Diaz told The Baltimore Banner. “The nurse in Louisiana was going to provide the medication today.”

His wife, too distraught to eat or sleep, constantly worries about his well-being. “This has devastated his family and traumatized a community that depends so heavily upon him,” the GoFundMe description adds.

From Construction Worker to Shepherd of Souls

Espinal fled Honduras in 2001, escaping poverty and violence after losing family members to gang-related killings. He initially worked in construction before being drawn back into ministry. A former Catholic youth minister, he joined the Nazarene church in Easton in 2010 and became pastor in 2015.

Clarissa, a U.S. citizen, had begun the process of sponsoring her father for a green card and was awaiting her interview when the arrest occurred. “He was trying to do things the right way,” she said.

Sandra Perez, a member of Espinal’s congregation, said she was heartbroken by his detention. “I have learned a lot from him… and it has been very sad that they have arrested him,” she said. “He is not a criminal. His work as a person, father and pastor is necessary for the congregation.”

Ministering in Detention

Even behind bars, Espinal hasn’t stopped ministering. His family says he has shared his faith with fellow detainees and even ICE officers. “He’s always been someone who carries the love of Jesus with him,” said a fellow church member. “Wherever he is, he brings hope.”

More than a dozen letters of support from the community have been submitted ahead of Espinal’s upcoming immigration proceedings, and his family is working with an attorney to seek his release on bond.

Immigration Crackdown Raises Alarm in Churches

Espinal’s arrest comes as ICE steps up enforcement under President Donald Trump’s renewed pledge to secure the border and deport undocumented immigrants. While much political attention is focused on the southern border, arrests are also affecting long-settled immigrants with deep community roots—including many Christians.

In April, a coalition of Christian organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, estimated that about 80% of the 10 million undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation identify as Christian.

Pastor Maurilio Ambrocio of Florida, who led Iglesia de Santidad Vida Nueva, was deported to Guatemala this month after living in the U.S. for 20 years. Similarly, an Iranian Christian couple seeking asylum in Los Angeles was recently detained by DHS agents who cited “national security interests.”

Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty

Back in Easton, Espinal’s church prays for his safe return. His absence leaves a spiritual void, but also a testimony of quiet faithfulness. Whether building houses or preaching the Word, Espinal has poured his life into serving others—and now, many are rallying to serve him in return.

“Our father is a good man,” Fuentes Diaz said. “He deserves to stay with his family. He deserves to keep pastoring his church. He deserves a chance.”