A Venezuelan asylum seeker and committed Christian, Jesus Teran, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite his active involvement in his local church and positive standing in his community. Faith leaders and church members in Pennsylvania are organizing support for Teran’s family and appealing for his release, as his detention brings renewed focus to the issue of immigration enforcement actions against religiously active individuals.
Community Shock Over Carpenter’s Detention
Jesus Teran, 35, is a father of two who has lived in the United States for four years. Known locally for his role in maintaining a community garden benefiting both English and Spanish-speaking congregations, Teran was recently detained by ICE officials amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions. According to the Rev. Jay Donahue of St. Oscar Romero parish near Pittsburgh, the community has been left “shaken” by the arrest, which many see as targeting a law-abiding and devoted parishioner.
Faith Leaders Condemn Detention as Inhumane
The Rev. Donahue and members of the St. Oscar Romero parish have vocally condemned Teran’s detention, labeling it inhumane given the absence of any criminal record and his longstanding contributions to the church. Parishioners have quickly mobilized to provide financial support for Teran’s family and to raise awareness about their situation. Local faith leaders are urging ICE to release Teran and reconsider enforcement actions that disrupt family and community life, particularly regarding individuals established in faith communities.
Broader Concerns About ICE Actions Involving Churches
Teran’s detention comes amid a growing pattern of ICE activity in and around church properties. Reports have documented at least 10 instances since 2017 in which ICE or other federal agents have conducted enforcement operations on or near church grounds. These actions have affected Catholic, evangelical, Cooperative Baptist, and mainline Christian churches. Faith leaders nationwide have responded with legal challenges and public campaigns asserting that churches should serve as sanctuaries for vulnerable individuals, regardless of immigration status.