After nearly a month in federal custody, a Maryland pastor is back home with his family and congregation, sharing how hardship became an opportunity for spiritual outreach behind bars.

According to CBN, Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal, detained by federal immigration authorities in July, used his time in custody to minister to fellow detainees while enduring harsh conditions before returning to Easton, Maryland, on bond.

Daniel Fuentes Espinal, 54, a pastor at Jesus te Ama Iglesia del Nazareno in Easton, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 21 while headed to work at a construction site. ICE officials transferred him from a Baltimore detention facility to Winn Correctional Center in Winn Parish, Louisiana, where he remained for several weeks.

Espinal, who came to the United States from Honduras approximately 25 years ago on a visa, had overstayed his authorized duration. ICE maintains that remaining in the country past a visa’s expiration constitutes a federal offense, although Espinal’s family emphasized he has no criminal record and had long sought legal status through proper immigration channels.

His arrest caused immediate unrest in his church community. Members of the small Hispanic evangelical congregation he leads reportedly paused their gatherings out of concern for their safety, fearing further enforcement actions.

Family and Faith Provide Anchor During Detention

Espinal’s daughter, Clarissa Fuentes Diaz, flew to Louisiana to bring her father home following his release on bond. She described the emotional reunion, saying, “I am very happy to have my dad back home. He is the pillar of our house. He is the love of our house, and I'm just very happy, and my heart is full.”

Family spokesperson Len Foxwell announced the release on Facebook and praised the community’s support. “This is the best social media post I've ever had the privilege to write: Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal is home,” he wrote. He added that the pastor and his family were reunited for the first time since the arrest on July 21.

Foxwell emphasized that while the detention was over, immigration proceedings and other legal hurdles still lie ahead. “There remains work to be done,” he said. “Let it be said, however, that Pastor Fuentes Espinal and his family are together again.”

Pastor Ministers Behind Bars Despite Tough Conditions

During his detention, Espinal reportedly experienced severe conditions. According to Foxwell, in the Baltimore facility, he lacked access to a bed, shower, or even a sink, relying on a bucket for basic hygiene. “I don’t mean to be graphic,” Foxwell told CBN News, “but he had to use a bucket for bodily functions.”

Despite these circumstances, Espinal turned his experience into a spiritual mission. After being transferred to the Louisiana facility, he began preaching inside the detention center, sharing the Gospel with fellow detainees at every opportunity.

“The glory of the Lord was manifested in the place where I was detained,” Espinal said in Spanish. “For three weeks, God opened doors for the preaching of His word. And there were many souls converted to Christ.”

A Broader Pattern of Faith Leaders Targeted

Pastor Gabriel Salguero, a national evangelical leader, commented on the trend of ICE detaining Hispanic Christian leaders. “The detention of an evangelical pastor who is working hard and helping his neighbors is not the way forward on immigration,” he said, citing Espinal’s case as an example of someone failed by the system despite long efforts for legal adjustments.

Espinal’s case is part of a wider pattern. Earlier this summer, Maurilio Ambrocio, a Florida-based pastor, was deported to Guatemala after residing in the U.S. for two decades. Similarly, Maria Isidro, a pastor’s wife and mother, was deported to Mexico in June following more than 20 years in the country after failing to appear for a court date in 2004.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, commented on Isidro’s case, stating she had exhausted all legal remedies and had been issued a final removal order two decades earlier. “She has no legal remedies left to pursue,” McLaughlin said.

Looking Ahead: Hope and Legal Challenges Remain

For now, Espinal is focused on recovering and reconnecting with his family and church. Expressing gratitude, he said, “I want to give thanks to the community for the support you have given me during this process. Thank you for your prayers. I am sure God listened to your prayers.”

He continued to emphasize the spiritual impact of his detention more than the hardship. “The joy that should be in us is souls,” he said. “Souls that received the word and received our Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

Foxwell, reflecting on Espinal’s time behind bars, remarked that even detained, the pastor's calling couldn’t be silenced. “(His daughter) reports that he's preaching to the other detainees at this facility. I guess preachers are going to preach.”