Two pastors, Nepthalí Zozaya Saucedo and Cinthia Saraí Cardona Otero, were detained by U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at McAllen International Airport while traveling to a religious retreat in North Carolina.Church leaders allege the couple was threatened with separation from their U.S.citizen children if they did not sign voluntary deportation papers.

The pastors, who hold valid R-1 religious worker visas, were taken to a Border Patrol processing center and later addressed a press conference via phone, describing ICE's actions as coercive and unjust.

Faith leaders from the Assemblies of God and Latino Christian National Network demanded their immediate release, protection of due process rights, and an investigation into ICE's conduct.

The incident follows broader criticism of ICE's policies, including recent fatalities of individuals in custody during President Trump's term.Advocacy groups like Presente!

Maine called for justice and accountability, emphasizing the need to end what they describe as a 'terror campaign' against immigrant communities.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom, immigration enforcement, and family separation policies, with critics arguing that ICE's tactics disproportionately target vulnerable populations.