An Episcopal priest, whom the Texas diocese says is in the country legally, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and remains in federal custody.
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas said it is unclear why Rev. James Eliud Ngahu Mwangi, a native of Kenya, was detained last month returning home from work. In a statement published on its website, the diocese said it urges transparency, due process and respect for all individuals working legally in public service.
“The Episcopal Diocese of Texas stands firmly for justice, dignity, and compassion for every person,” Bishop C. Andrew Doyle said. “This priest has served both the Church and the State of Texas faithfully. We are praying for his safety, for his family’s peace of mind, and for fair and humane treatment as this case moves forward.”
A spokesperson for the diocese said Tuesday that Mwangi’s paperwork showing his legal status was in his car when he was arrested. He works for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
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A spokesperson for ICE responded to an email Tuesday morning from The Dallas Morning News and said a public affairs officer would look into the case.
After several days of uncertainty, the diocese said, the priest’s family confirmed he was transferred to an immigration detention center in Conroe, 40 miles north of Houston. The family has since spoken with him.
The diocese said it is assisting the family as they “navigate legal representation and seek clarity regarding the circumstances of his detention.”
“The diocese asks all people of faith to join in prayer for him and his family, and for all who are affected by these actions,” the statement said.
At least one other religious leader, a Muslim hospital chaplain, has been detained by ICE as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation effort, noted Religion News Service, which first reported the detainment. Ayman Soliman, a chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, was detained in July and held for weeks before being released in September.
Since taking office in January, Trump has led a mass deportation effort, aiming to arrest 3,000 people a day. The crackdown on immigration has spurred protests in numerous cities, including Chicago and Portland, Ore.
Texas National Guard members were deployed last month to Illinois to protect federal properties and federal law enforcement agents in the Chicago area, specifically immigration enforcement agents arresting undocumented migrants.
This week, Dallas city leaders are weighing a plan to deputize city police officers to help enforce federal immigration laws. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said he wanted to explore a partnership, following a disclosure by Police Chief Daniel Comeaux that he turned down $25 million in federal assistance to join the program.