New Jersey pastor detained by ICE weeks before Easter

A pastor in New Jersey was taken into custody by immigration agents while working at his day job, according to church members.

Yeison Cortes Vasquez was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 20. He is a pastor at The Gathering Place Church in Elizabeth. 

Officials from the National Latino Evangelical Coalition said on Wednesday that Vasquez has no criminal record. He has been ministering to other detainees while in custody at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, they said in a statement.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the pastor illegally entered the country in January 2016 from Colombia. Vasquez allegedly overstayed a tourist visa that expired in July 2016. 

"Against our nation's laws, he knowingly overstayed his visa by nearly a decade and failed to depart. He will remain in ICE custody pending his removal procedures," the statement read. 

"Any allegation that Cortes Vasquez was denied a bible while in detention are FALSE. ICE facilities do not deny detainees accesses to holy coverings or texts. Detainees are given the opportunity to practice their religions. ICE provides all religious items permitted as soon as detainees make the request," the spokesperson also said.   

Church leaders are now trying to get him out of detention before Easter on Sunday. 

"For us, this is devastating because this is our holy week. This is the week we are celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord. The church is devastated," said the Rev. Dan Mendez. "Instead of celebrating our spiritual holiday, we are crying and praying for the situation of our dear brother." 

The National Latino Evangelical Coalition said it plans on retaining an attorney for Vasquez.