Released pastors say immigration agents mocked them, threatened family separation
Jul 27, 2026·Location: Edinburg, TX

Nepthali Zozaya Saucedo and Cinthia Sarai Cardona Otero, assistant pastors at Comunidad Cristiana Emanuel in Edinburg, Texas, were detained by immigration agents on Thursday while boarding a flight to a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association retreat—their first time away from their three children. The married couple was released on Saturday. During a Sunday worship service and press conference, they revealed that immigration agents allegedly mocked them and threatened family separation to coerce them to sign voluntary departure papers. DHS claimed they had overstayed a visa that expired in 2022, but faith leaders disputed this, saying the couple held valid religious worker visas. The couple must report to ICE in person in 6 months and call in monthly, with their immigration cases to be heard by an immigration judge.
Sources
- Released Pastors Say Immigration Agents Mocked Them, Threatened Family Separation - Christianity Today
christianitytoday.com·Jul 29, 2026·archived copy
- religionnews.com
- ICE snatches two legal pastors on way to Billy Graham retreat – Baptist News Global
baptistnews.com·Jul 31, 2026·archived copy
- Released Texas Pastors Say Immigration Agents Threatened Family Separation - Word&Way
wordandway.org·Jul 27, 2026·archived copy
- WDHN
- christiancentury.org
- 'This Is Not of God': Faith Leaders Demand Release of Pastors, End to ICE 'Terror' | Common Dreams
commondreams.org·Jul 25, 2026·archived copy
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