Pastor Yeison Cortes Vasquez Detained by ICE and Denied Bible Access

Yeison Cortes Vasquez, a 46-year-old pastor at The Gathering Place Church in New Jersey, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 20, 2023, while working on a delivery route in Newark. Currently held at the Delaney Hall Detention Center, he has been denied access to a Bible for nearly a week, according to church leaders and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. This incident has raised significant concerns among faith and immigrant advocacy groups regarding the treatment of religious figures in detention.

Newsweek

Cortes Vasquez, originally from Colombia, has lived in the United States for over a decade and has an active asylum case. His arrest reportedly stemmed from an issue related to his vehicle registration, and he has no criminal record. The National Latino Evangelical Coalition emphasizes his role as a community leader, highlighting his contributions to local families through prayer and support.

Newsweek

The pastor's detention has deeply affected his family, particularly his wife and three daughters, who are described as "devastated." Reverend Dr. Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, noted that one of Cortes Vasquez's daughters is struggling with her appetite due to the emotional toll of her father's absence. The timing of his detention, just before Holy Week—a significant period in the Christian calendar—has further intensified the emotional impact on his family and congregation.

Newsweek

Reverend Enid Almanzar, chairwoman of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, expressed the coalition's distress over the denial of Bible access, stating, "To know that he was denied access to a Bible for nearly a week, especially as we enter Holy Week, is deeply painful and troubling for our entire church family." The coalition plans to hold a press conference outside the Newark detention facility, calling for federal authorities to release Cortes Vasquez. Salguero emphasized the need for compassion and dignity, advocating for the protection of fundamental freedoms for both citizens and immigrants.

Newsweek

The incident has drawn criticism from various advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argues that restrictions on a prisoner's access to religious literature violate the First Amendment. The National Latino Evangelical Coalition's leaders have condemned the moral implications of detaining a minister during a significant religious observance, labeling it as a troubling trend.

Newsweek

Cortes Vasquez's next immigration hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2023, which will determine the future of his asylum case and potential release from detention. The community and church leaders continue to rally for his release, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and support for immigrant rights.

Newsweek