A Carpenter Named Jesus is Facing Deportation

A carpenter named Jesus has been arrested and faces prosecution. If history doesn't repeat, it certainly rhymes. 

This Jesus is a man named Jesus Teran who fled persecution in Venezuela before eventually migrating to the U.S. and claiming asylum in 2021. Since then, Jesus has become a vital member of the community in Pennsylvania, according to friends and fellow churchgoers. 

Now his church community is fighting to keep him from being deported.

Originally trained as an engineer, Jesus spent years learning English and had just been accepted into a carpentry work program – a career he hoped would help support his family of 4. He also routinely checked in with immigration authorities, as the rules directed him to. He has no criminal record. 

But at a recent check in, Jesus was detained by ICE agents on the grounds that he entered the country illegally. He remains in custody while awaiting an upcoming immigration hearing that will decide his fate. 

Now his community is rallying around him, sharing his story, and hoping for a miracle. 

Friends and Worshipers Speak Out

Rev. Jay Donahue of St. Oscar Romero Parish (where Jesus’s family are members) is among those speaking up in defense of Jesus:

“It’s been a heartbreaking experience. He’s been faithfully appearing at ICE appointments for more than four years, he was following the protocols of ICE, he was complying with everything he’s supposed to do. All of a sudden, he’s detained.”

Donahue continued:

“Jesus is not someone who should be subjected to this undignified experience that he’s going through. It’s a shame the way they are treating him; it is inhumane. It’s been inspiring to see the community rally around Jesus and to recognize what he means to our community.”

Chris McAneny oversaw a community garden project intended to bridge two local church communities. He said that Jesus was instrumental in bringing the garden to life. McAneny has also joined the chorus of defenders, saying:

“Deporting Jesus doesn’t make this a safer place. It’s creating havoc and fear. He was contributing to his community, raising his family, paying taxes, and now he’s in a detention facility separated from his family. We are all-hands-on-deck to support Jesus, his wife and his kids as much as we can. This is my neighbor, this is my friend. He’s a part of my community, and I want him back.”

The community has even set up a GoFundMe to assist Jesus's family while he remains detained. 

His wife, Liseth, says she's grateful for the support. “People have given us everything: legal help, they’ve been helping us out financially, they’ve been helping us out emotionally,” she said. “We’ve felt enveloped and loved by the entire community, and we’re thankful to God for that.”

Offering Sanctuary, Despite the Risks

Ever since immigration enforcement began to ramp up following the 2016 election, churches and the religious leaders in charge of them have played a prominent role in defending the rights of immigrants – from advocating for more humane immigration policies, loosening church rules to protect members from authorities, and even sheltering people under their own roofs. 

Related: Would Jesus Offer Sanctuary to Vulnerable Groups?

Churches who do offer sanctuary to immigrants are taking on some risk. Houses of worship have no special protections against immigration raids, and thus could theoretically have their doors kicked in at any time. 

That’s not stopping some church communities from taking in immigrants – and fighting to shelter them. One church in New York even put up a warning sign on its door saying “ICE and Homeland Security cannot enter without a warrant signed by a judge.”

Deporting Christians?

Here is another interesting angle to examine: as America is experiencing a resurgent wave of Christian nationalism, with politicians and faith leaders alike advocating for a future of the nation that more closely aligns with biblical values, reports indicate that most migrants at risk of deportation are themselves Christian. 

It would seem that when faced with conflicting priorities over what the future of America should look like, the powers that be are choosing “fewer immigrants” over “more Christians.”

Add Jesus Teran to the potential list of casualties from that policy decision.

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