Rev. Esdras Paredes, the longtime pastor of Ven y Descansarás in east‑central Wisconsin, has been unable to return to his home church since August 2025. He left the United States to care for his ailing mother in Guatemala and was subsequently told by the federal government that a 1991 deportation order prevents his re‑entry for another ten years.
Virtual ministry continues
Despite the distance, Rev. Paredes still preaches several times a week and prays with his roughly 150 congregants over the phone. The church’s members have organized food fundraisers, including making and selling hundreds of tamales, to cover his living expenses while they pray for his return.
Family carries on on‑site duties
Rev. Wanda Paredes, a U.S. citizen and co‑pastor, returned home after the August trip and now handles the physical aspects of ministry that her husband once performed—blessings, baptisms, and care during births, illnesses, and other life events. She also manages the day‑to‑day upkeep of the church building and assists congregants with errands and transportation.
Immigration background
Esdras first arrived in the United States in 1988 with his brother, seeking asylum from Guatemala’s civil war. He faced a possible deportation in 1991 when his asylum claim was denied, but later secured a new hearing that allowed him to stay. A missed 2004 appointment left his status uncertain, and he was unaware of the pending deportation until it was enforced last August.
“I have no felonies—not even misdemeanors. I don’t have any criminal record,” he told reporters.
Impact on the congregation
The pastor’s absence has been felt deeply. Members miss his hands‑on assistance—home repairs, lawn mowing, car fixes, and transportation to airports, courts, and doctors. Wanda describes the workload as exhausting, saying she works until she falls asleep and then starts again the next day.
Legal efforts and hope
The Paredes family has hired several immigration attorneys, but none have succeeded in overturning the order. They also reported being scammed out of more than a thousand dollars by individuals posing as immigration judges.
Recent signs of hope emerged when a fellow pastor disclosed that a contact within the Trump administration is reviewing Rev. Paredes’ case. “There might be a chance that hopefully, within the next month or two, I will be getting good news,” he said.
Broader immigration enforcement
Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns under the Trump administration have also affected members of the congregation, leading to several detentions and deportations. Rev. Paredes says he encourages those with minor offenses to comply with the law, trusting in God’s guidance.
“We trust in God. Just go down and comply with the law,” he advised.
The story underscores the challenges faced by faith‑based communities when federal immigration policy separates families and leaders from their local churches.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
