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Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal detained after 24 years, released after community mobilization

Aug 18, 2025 · Easton, MD, Honduras

Daniel Fuentes Espinal, a 54-year-old volunteer pastor and construction worker from Honduras, was detained by ICE on July 21, 2025, while driving to a construction job in Easton, Maryland, after purchasing supplies at Lowe's and picking up breakfast at McDonald's. He arrived legally in 2001 on a six-month visitor visa and had been living in the country on an expired visa ever since. For the past 24 years, Fuentes Espinal has been a cornerstone of his Easton community, working steadily in construction to support his wife and three adult children, and serving as a volunteer pastor at Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama for over a decade, where he has built the congregation to 70 families. His daughter Clarissa had begun sponsoring him for permanent residence through legal channels. According to court records and his family, he has no criminal history. During his detention, he was transferred through facilities in Salisbury and Baltimore before being moved to Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana, where he reported deplorable conditions including sleeping on concrete or cold benches, lack of adequate food and sanitation, and denial of access to his heart and stomach medications. His community, congregation, and Maryland congressional representatives—including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Sarah Elfreth, and Representative Glenn Ivey—rallied to support him. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $50,000 for his legal expenses. He was released from ICE detention and returned home to his family in Easton nearly a month after his arrest.

Timeline

Aug 18, 2025Daniel Fuentes Espinal released from ICE detention and returns home to his family in Easton, Maryland after nearly one month
Jul 25, 2025Community organizes protest in Easton calling for his release; Maryland congressional representatives send letter to Secretary of Homeland Security; GoFundMe campaign launched for legal expenses
Jul 24, 2025Fuentes Espinal transferred from Salisbury and Baltimore facilities to Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana
Jul 21, 2025Daniel Fuentes Espinal detained by ICE agents while driving to construction job in Easton, Maryland after purchasing supplies at Lowe's and buying breakfast at McDonald's

Sources

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