Easton pastor Daniel Omar Fuentes Espinal, who ICE detained in July, has returned to his family, as confirmed by a family friend, Len Foxwell, through a social media post. Espinal, who leads the congregation at Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama, was initially arrested for overstaying a six-month visitor's visa he obtained in 2001. According to a WMAR-2 News report, despite the visa overstay, no other criminal violations appear on his record.
The community has rallied around Espinal's cause, and their efforts appear to have borne fruit. "I am very happy to have my dad back home," Clarissa Fuentes Diaz, Fuentes Espinal's daughter, said in a video posted to Facebook. "He is the pillar of our house. He is the love of our house and I'm just very happy." This emotional statement was shared on Foxwell's Facebook, underscoring the family's relief to be reunited. In a development last week, Fuentes Espinal was granted bond, which eventually enabled him to return home, as detailed WBALTV article.
ICE had previously confirmed that Fuentes Espinal had been in the country illegally since his visa expired, but his detention and subsequent release have brought to light issues surrounding immigration policy and its enforcement. There's been a notable absence of immediate comment from ICE regarding Fuentes Espinal's release.
