The Spy just received the following message from Spy commentator Len Foxwell:
“Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal is home, back with his beautiful family in Easton.
He was granted bond earlier this week and his daughter, Clarissa, flew to Louisiana yesterday, picked him up and brought him back to the great State of Maryland. Given the political and social climate in which we now live, we decided not to announce his release until he was safe and secure within the comfort of his own home.
Obviously, there remains work to be done. Let it be said, however, that Pastor Fuentes Espinal and his family are together again for the first time since that terrible morning of July 21. When a pastor and father of three said goodbye to his wife and children, left for work and never came home.
May God bless and hold this beautiful family close on this priceless night of reunion.”
This is a developing story.
Jim Richardson says
Welcome home Pastor Fuentes Espinal! Knowing you are reunited with your family and friends brought tears to my eyes this morning. It was the first good news I have heard in a long time. Every Friday afternoon your supporters, including my wife and I, have been gathering along Ocean Gateway in Easton with signs demanding your release. I wish you could have heard all the horns honking in support of you!
I realize that there is still a lot of work to be done but please know you have many neighbors and friends working for your eventual freedom from ICE. May freedom ring!
Catherine C Nobles says
My question regarding this Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espanial is how can he deliver sermons knowing he is breaking the law every day. No country will allow people to cross the border or overstay a visa so why is it different in America.
There is only one way to come here legally and that’s with a green card. After five years you can apply for citizenship. You don’t need a lawyer, it’s all online. The interview and fingerprinting is conducted in Dover. The test is in Baltimore. The swearing is also in Baltimore. The only requirement is to be able to take the test in English
Brian Naranjo says
Couple of thoughts:
– immigration law is not penal law, but rather administrative law under which violations are civil violations, not criminal violations. The law is adjudicated by immigration judges in the Department of Justice in the Executive Branch,
not the Judicial Branch.
– There are numerous ways to enter the U.S. legally, one of which is a “green card,” properly known as as legal permanent residency. Others include over twenty categories on non-immigrant visas (NIVs), refugee status, multiple categories so immigrant visas issued by the Department of State. A “green card” is issued by the Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) and connotes a legal statutes to remain in the United States. Other such statuses include refugee status, asylum, parole and temporary protective status (TPS).
– There’s no requirement to apply for citizenship which in most cases one can apply for after five years, but in other cases fewer or more years.
Brian Naranjo says
A visa is permission n to approach the U.S. border and request entry; its validity does not determine one’s permitted stay. Rather Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirms that the traveler complies with the terms of the visa present and determines the length of stay. The length of stay may or may not, depending on the circumstances of the original entry and visa status, be extended by CIS.
Hal De Bona says
Catherine,
I’m surprised you haven’t choked on all the Kool Aid you’ve been drinking. If it were only that simple, don’t you THINK most of the people seeking citizenship would have already done so? Or do you buy into the lie that they all crossed over to become career criminals?
Len Foxwell says
You truly know nothing about the process. And you’re essentially calling Pastor Fuentes-Espinal a liar.
Bob Kopec says
Trump’s goons doing his illegal work. The devil is reserving a special spot for Mr. Trump, where the fire is extra hot.
Beth Mufson says
Will he be able to get the bond that he paid to secure his release back or will the government keep it? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Craig Michaels says
Guess the pastor decided it was ok to overstay his visa by a couple decades. Nothing wrong with that if you’re a liberal. There is and has always been a legal way for migrants to be here legally. Best thing to do is send Al Pasteur back and let him do his paperwork to come back.
Len Foxwell says
It is a misdemeanor offense that is on par with a parking ticket. Not a government sanctioned kidnapping and three nights of detention in conditions to which you wouldn’t even subject your own animals.
SYLVIA HARRIS says
All praises to our creator for a man who gathered troups,fought goliath and showed the world in the Eastern shores of Maryland, a humble man fought for a man who came, in silent desperation, to a land of milk and honey to save souls.
Thank you Len seems so small for such a loving heroic act.
is
Mary M Yancey says
…How he can deliver sermons knowing that he is breaking the law every day. Lots of laws are unethical/immoral and being on the right side of God’s law sometimes means being on the wrong side of man’s law. America needs many more immigrants than our current broken immigration system allows, to keep our communities strong and vibrant.
Craig Michaels says
Hey Len. Read below and comment please:
https://www.visapro.com/resources/article/overstaying-visa/
It seems to be a bit worse than a parking ticket.