Pastors Celebrate Release from Immigration Detention in Edinburg, Texas
Amid a powerful wave of emotion, Pastors Neptali Zozaya Saucedo and Cynthia Salay Cardona Otero led their congregation at Comunidad Cristiana Emanuel in Edinburg, Texas, in heartfelt prayers of gratitude following their release from immigration detention. Tears flowed as they praised God and remembered those still facing similar struggles.
Zozaya, speaking in Spanish during the Sunday service on July 26, emphasized the importance of intercession for not just family and friends but also for strangers enduring injustice. “We must stand in solidarity with those fighting for dignity and hope,” he declared, committing to pray on behalf of his fellow detainees.
The couple, both associate pastors at the Assemblies of God church, were detained on July 25 while heading to a retreat organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Society. This trip marked Cardona’s first time away from their three children, which she described as a long-awaited “dream.”
The Sunday service, along with a live-streamed press conference, shed light on the alarming tactics used by immigration officials to pressurize the couple into signing voluntary departure papers. The event showcased a united front, with various support groups coming together for the couple’s release.
Sandy Obare, director of the National Network of Latino Christians, expressed gratitude toward the diverse organizations and individuals that rallied behind Zozaya and Cardona. This included an array of national groups representing Latino evangelicals, which typically operate separately, as well as bipartisan support from Congress.
During the press conference, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the couple had overstayed their visas, which were set to expire in 2022. However, religious leaders supporting them disputed this claim, asserting they held valid religious worker visas. The DHS clarified that Zozaya and Cardona were released under Alternative Detention, pending a full hearing in front of an immigration judge where their claims would be addressed.
As they regained their freedom, Cardona spoke with resolve, sharing their readiness to present documentation proving their immigration status at the airport. Both pastors reiterated their commitment to serve the community, emphasizing that their intent upon arriving in the U.S. was to honor God and adhere to the laws of the land.
The couple’s experiences in detention were harrowing, with Cardona revealing that coercion played a role in their signing of the departure papers, particularly when faced with threats of separation from their children. She described an intimidating interrogation and a lack of respect from officials, alleging mockery during questioning. Despite the challenges, both pastors are determined to advocate for just immigration policies that treat all individuals with dignity and respect.
As they addressed their congregation on Sunday, Cardona and Zozaya drew strength from their faith, singing a song that resonated deeply with their ordeal: “Even in the storm, you give me calm.” They urged their congregation to join them in prayer for justice and compassion within the immigration system, reinforcing their commitment to serve those who feel voiceless in these turbulent times.
