ICE releases Elizabeth paster after 18-day hold
Feds say he was detained after overstaying his visa
By: Mary Ann Koruth
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A pastor at a church in Elizabeth was released by federal immigration officials on April 9 [2026] after almost three weeks in detention in Newark, according to soc la media posts by his supporters.
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"After 18 days of being held in detention by ICE, Pastor Yeison Cortes Vasquez has been released and reunited with his family,: the Nation la Evangelical Latino coalition announced on Facebook. "what was once a moment of deep lament has now become a testimony of hope, justice, and the power of faithful advocacy."
..... Cortes Vasquez's congregation, The Gathering Place, posted photos and video on tis own Facebook account of the pastor, a Colombia native and father of three, celebrating with a small group outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Delaney Hall detention center.
..... People held signs in English and Spanish - "Look at what God did," one of them said - as a smiling Cortes Vasquez stood among them.
..... The group sang while container trucks drove by on the side street.
..... ICE officers arrested Cortes Vasquez while he was making deliveries for Walmart on march 20, [2026] according to published reports.
..... His plight attracted attention from faith leaders who called for his release, as well as a visit to Delaney Hall by congressman rob Menendez of New Jersey and Adriano Espaillat of New York.
..... The National Latino evangelical Coalition held a news conference with the two representatives on April 2 [2026] outside the detention center, calling for his release during Holy week and in time for Easter.
..... "The ventilation is weak, there is inadequate health staffing, Menendez told reporters after visiting Cortes Vasquez inside Delaney Hall.
..... "There's about 800 detained individuals, more come every week. There's only seven qualified health professionals on staff. that's worse than a 100:1 ratio."
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The pastor, however, appeared to be in good health, he said.
..... Cortes Vasquez has been pursing asylum and had no criminal recored, according to the Evangelical Coalition.
..... ICE did not immediately respond to a request of comment on his release.
..... In an earlier statement, the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, told NorthJersey.com : "Yeison Cortes Vasquez, an illegal Dalian from Columbia, enter the United States on JAnaur 28, 2016, through JFK Airport on a tourist visa that required him to leave the United States by July 27, 2016.
..... "Against our nation's laws, he knowingly overstayed his visa by nearly a decade and failed to deport. He will remain in ICE couscous pending his removal procedures."
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Efforts to reach Cortes Vasquez on Saturday [04/11/2026] were not immediately successful.