A California pastor has told Newsweek that federal agents apprehended one of his parishioners in an early morning stop that has left a local church and the Hispanic community fearful.
Members of Sierra Vista Baptist Church say they are seeking answers after the recent arrest and detention of Jheisson Alcides Bustos-Martinez, an immigrant from Colombia who overstayed his visa.
Bustos-Martinez and his stepfather were driving to work in Rialto, California, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stopped them, Pastor Juan Cervantes of Sierra Vista Baptist Church said. The two men exited their vehicle and were taken into ICE custody on June 13 around 6:45 a.m.
“Fear has gripped our community. Churches in the area canceled services, fearing ICE raids on their property,” Cervantes told Newsweek.
“His arrest has not only terrified his family and our church but the entire Hispanic community,” he added.
Cervantes said Bustos-Martinez had entered the United States legally on a visa and did not have a criminal record. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that Bustos-Martinez had overstayed his visa by more than seven years.
“Jheisson Alcides Bustos-Martinez, an illegal alien from Colombia, overstayed his visa by more than seven years. He entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that allowed him to remain in the U.S. for no more than six months on November 15, 2017,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
She continued: “President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.
“Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
After his arrest, Bustos-Martinez’ family said they lost contact with him for almost two weeks.
Members of the community have contacted Democratic lawmakers in California—Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Congressman Pete Aguilar—asking them to intervene in the Bustos-Martinez case.
Bustos-Martinez has a hearing on July 7.
“His wife and two small children are desperate for Jhession to have a bond hearing,” Cervantes said.
“His family fears he is being held in custody to force Jhession to self-deport,” he added.
President Donald Trump has pledged to remove millions of immigrants without legal status as part of a hard-line mass deportation policy. The White House has maintained that anyone living in the country unlawfully is considered to be a criminal.
Critics say the immigration raids sow fear in vulnerable immigrant communities. Newsweek has documented dozens of nonviolent immigrants detained by ICE following Trump’s return to the White House on the promise of widespread deportations.
The post California Man Detained by ICE After Overstaying Visa for Seven Years appeared first on Newsweek.
