A Maryland pastor who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after he overstayed his visa has been released, announcing via a video shared on social media that while he was in ICE custody, his preaching led fellow detainees to Jesus, which he described as his ultimate “victory.”
For background, on August 17, 2025, a family friend confirmed via video that Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal, a native of Honduras who was detained by ICE in July, had been released from custody. In the video, the pastor shared his gratitude to those who supported him during the ordeal, with family members going on to say that Fuentes Espinal was in the process of applying for a green card when he was detained.
Speaking in the video released on August 17, Pastor Fuentes Espinal said, “I want to give thanks to the community for the support you have given me during this process.” He added, “Thank you for your prayers. I am really sure God listened to your prayers.”
Moreover, the pastor’s daughter, Clarissa Fuentes Diaz, spoke in the video as well, saying, “I am very happy to have my dad back home,” adding, “He is the pillar of our house. … My heart is full.” Furthermore, in a follow-up video, Pastor Fuentes Espinal said in Spanish that while he was detained, “the glory of the Lord manifested,” going on to explain that he was able to preach the Gospel to fellow detainees.
In addition, the pastor said that during his three-week detainment, “God opened doors for the preaching of His word.” He went on, “And there were many souls converted to Christ. That, my beloved brothers, is the victory we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As previously reported, Fuentes Espinal was detained by ICE in late July, with the agency stating, “Fuentes entered the United States on a 6-month visa and never left in 24 years.” ICE’s statement continued, “It is a federal crime to overstay the authorized period of time granted under a visitor’s visa.”
On the other hand, the pastor was ardently defended by friends and family members, who characterized him as a pillar of the community. A close family friend, Len Foxwell, told CNN that Fuentes Espinal had been trying to get a green card “for years” before being detained and had gone through a “bureaucratic nightmare in the process.”
Continuing, Foxwell explained that the pastor “is a beloved pillar of the Easton [Maryland] community known across town for providing shelter to those who need a place to sleep, for opening up his home and providing food and clothing to those who are at the most vulnerable point in their lives, and he never expects anything in return.”
Watch coverage of Funetes Espinal’s detainment:
Featured image credit: video screengrab