Church leaders have raised concerns after Pastor Yeison Cortes Vasquez, 46, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and allegedly denied access to a Bible for nearly a week while in custody.

Pastor's Detention and Initial Hardship

Yeison Cortes Vasquez was taken into custody in Newark on March 20. He is currently being held at the Delaney Hall Detention Center, according to leaders from the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NLEC).

NLEC leaders reported that Cortes Vasquez, who has been actively ministering to fellow detainees, initially lacked access to his religious texts. He reportedly went at least a week without a Bible before the church group could secure funds for him to purchase one through the facility’s system.

Concerns Over Religious Freedom

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, 52, President of the NLEC, expressed deep distress over the situation. "We’re heartbroken…he’s a vital part of the church," Salguero stated.

Salguero noted that Cortes Vasquez is a recognized leader who visits the sick, leads Bible studies, and serves the community. He was credentialed as a minister approximately six months prior in recognition of his extensive service.

The ACLU National Prison Project has previously concluded that restricting a prisoner's access to religious literature infringes upon their First Amendment rights.

Context of Pastor Vasquez’s Arrest

Cortes Vasquez, a Colombian native residing in the U.S. for over ten years, was reportedly working when arrested. His family asserts that he has an active asylum case.

Salguero stated that officers cited an issue related to vehicle registration as the reason for the detention. He emphasized that Pastor Vasquez has no prior criminal record, asserting, "This man has no criminal record. He’s never been arrested for anything."

The detention is particularly difficult as it occurs just before Holy Week, a critical period in the Christian faith marking the suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Family Impact and Advocacy Response

The absence of Pastor Vasquez has severely impacted his wife and three daughters, who Salguero described as emotionally struggling and "devastated." He added, "His daughters are shaken up...one of them doesn’t want to eat. She’s losing her appetite."

Salguero called the detention of ministers during Holy Week a sign of "moral decline." He added, "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 NLEC plans to hold a press conference on Thursday outside the Newark detention facility, demanding federal authorities release Cortes Vasquez. His next hearing, which will outline further proceedings, is scheduled for April 16.

This case arises amid broader discussions regarding the scope of ICE enforcement, which under the Trump administration focused on high-risk individuals but has also resulted in the detention of nonviolent persons, concerning faith and immigrant advocacy groups.