New Jersey
N.J. pastor returns to Sunday service after being released by ICE. Here’s what he experienced.
Yeison Cortes Vasquez was back at his church in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Sunday, one day after being released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Why Pastor Vasquez was detained
Vasquez was detained back on March 20, with the Department of Homeland Security saying he had overstayed his tourist visa from Colombia that expired in 2016.
In a recent statement, the agency said, “Cortes Vasquez has been released on bond with a GPS monitor while he undergoes further removal proceedings. He will receive full due process.”
Enid Almanzar, a fellow pastor with the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, said ICE detainments have ravaged the Latino church community.
“We’ve seen anywhere from a 30% to an even 80% drop in attendance because people are just simply afraid to come out,” Almanzar said.
“God had a purpose”
Vazquez’s parishioners at The Gathering Place in Elizabeth were relieved to see their pastor return to Sunday service.
Speaking through a translator, Vasquez said of his time being detained, “I cried a lot for my wife and daughters and my church, but God had a purpose.”
Vasquez read part of a letter he wrote to his church community while detained at Delaney Hall. The father of three shared that he was head of discipleship and bible study at the ICE detention facility.
“A thousand and a thousand thank you for taking care of my daughters and my wife,” Vasquez said.
“It’s a feeling you just can’t explain”
Parishioners were overjoyed to see Vasquez, saying his absence was deeply felt since he was detained on March 20 while working his day job in food delivery. His community rallied and helped him get legal counsel.
“We all cried today at the service. Like, everyone cried,” Margarita Lainez said.
“It’s a feeling you just can’t explain,” Guido Rodriguez added.
While parishioners say their prayers have been answered, the pastor, himself, told them to “keep praying that [they] are still at the detention center.”
He is also asking the faithful to pray for the authorities.
New Jersey
Rock legend Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal at Hard Rock Atlantic City
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Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Do you have a secret spot in your home where you hide your valuables?
Do you think that it’s very safe and a would-be burglar wouldn’t think to check?
Unfortunately, that spot may not be as safe as you would hope. Burglars have a few spots in your home they will check first after they break in, and it very well may be your “super safe secret spot.”
Toru Kimura for Unsplash
Do you hide things in your sock or underwear drawer?
It may be a good way to hide things from your kids, but obviously, a burglar is going to check there first.
Keep Scrolling to Find Out The Other 9 Places
How Common is Burglary in New Jersey
The majority of crimes in New Jersey are property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. In 2021, NJ residents reported 103,761 property crimes.
This breaks down to a property crime rate of 11 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Though this crime rate is below the national average, you still have a 1-in-89 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. Criminals in New Jersey often target homes to steal electronics, jewelry, and other expensive items.
Reconsider Where You Are Hiding Your Valuables
I hope you are never the victim of a burglary, but if you are, at least you can make it a little harder for a crook to find your valuables.
Reader’s Digest recently talked with Chris McGoey of McGoey Security Consulting and Robert Siciliano, a security analyst with Hotspot Shield.
Using information from these two experts, the magazine determined that these are the 10 spots burglars are most likely to check.
Andrey Pipov for Unsplash
10 ‘Secret Spots’ Burglars Check First When Invading New Jersey Homes
Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis
Local Favorites: Top 10 Atlantic City Casino Restaurants
Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis
ATLANTIC CITY (WABC) — A mom from New Jersey brought home more than flowers for Mother’s Day, raking in a jackpot worth over a hundred thousand dollars at a casino in Atlantic City over the holiday weekend.
Jacqueline B, a mom from Toms River, NJ, placed a $5 bet on a Dragon Link slot machine at Ocean Casino Resort on Saturday.
She hit the jackpot, winning $101,566.53 to be exact.
The jackpot paid out $101,566.
Jacqueline hasn’t yet revealed how she plans to spend her newfound cash.
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