A Phoenix church pastor who spent more than five months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody has returned to the pulpit and is speaking out about his experience. He described the detention as harrowing and said he plans to fully resume his ministry and continue working with immigrant families across the Valley.
In his first extended public comments since leaving detention, the pastor told congregants and supporters about the ordeal in an interview with 12News. His release has turned a national debate over enforcement at places of worship into a local story centered on a familiar community figure.
Policy Shift Puts Churches In The Crosshairs
A January 2025 change in Homeland Security guidance scrapped long-standing limits on enforcement at so-called "sensitive locations" such as churches and hospitals, effectively giving ICE broader authority to detain people in those spaces, according to Axios. Clergy members and civil-rights advocates say that shift has left houses of worship more exposed to immigration actions than they have been in years.
Valley Churches Feeling The Strain
Across metro Phoenix, local churches have been taking in migrants released by ICE while families wait for immigration court dates, stretching already thin volunteer rosters and donation supplies, according to ABC15. Faith leaders also recently held a vigil outside the regional ICE office in Phoenix to protest current enforcement tactics, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
What’s Next For The Pastor
The pastor told 12News that he plans to keep serving his community even as his immigration case moves forward. Local advocacy groups say his situation highlights the growing friction between immigration enforcement and sanctuary work in churches and are urging those caught in similar circumstances to seek legal counsel.
