An Episcopal priest in Texas was arrested by immigration authorities for allegedly overstaying his visa. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas protested his arrest, asserting that the state of Texas legitimately employed him.
James Eliud Ngahu Mwangi, a Kenyan immigrant, was arrested on October 24, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is accused of overstaying his B1 visa, which ICE claims requires him to leave the United States on May 16, 2024.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Texas stated that Mwangi was legitimately employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was apprehended in Huntsville, around 70 miles north of Houston, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas expressed “deep concern” about Mwangi’s detention and urged transparency and due process in his case.
“The Episcopal Diocese of Texas stands firmly for justice, dignity, and compassion for every person,” Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of Texas, said in a news release. “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.”
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the diocese, Mwangi was taken to an immigration detention center in Conroe, some 40 miles north of Houston, and has been allowed to communicate with his family. According to the organization, he was detained while going home from work.
